Manila Standard - 2019 May 11 - Saturday

Rody: Not all my bets may win

By Nat Mariano and Vito Barcelo

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has acknowledged the possibility that not all his preferred candidates would win the 12 senatorial spots in the upcoming elections on Monday.

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 86 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

President Rodrigo Duterte takes a seat between his children, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte, at the HNP stage in Davao City on Friday night. Macon Ramos-Araneta

After endorsing to the public the candidates he supports during a campaign rally in Bohol late Wednesday evening, the President said “the law of averages” worked against a sweep by his senatorial picks.

But he again advised voters to “think hard” before supporting opposition candidates.

“Think hard and sleep on it tonight.

It’s just around the corner,” Duterte said after slamming the opposition Otso Diretso again in his speech.

“Look at Otso Diretso. You’ve seen them and you know how they perform,” Duterte said, accusing the opposition of using black propaganda against his administration.

He singled out former Interior secretary Manuel Roxas II for criticism.

“I will not try to convince you that what he did is great. I will just share my sentiments about him. It’s my personal Next page

‘Bikoy’ hunt on, criminal case eyed for role in oust-Du30 videos

By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta POLICE have launched a manhunt for Peter Joemel Advincula, alias “Bikoy,” who claims to be behind a series of online videos accusing the President’s family of accepting drug money.

“The manhunt operation is underway to find him and to serve the pending warrants of arrest against Advincula, who surfaced before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines as ‘Bikoy,’” said Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde.

BARELY UP. Following heavy evening rains over the last two days, the water level at the La Mesa Dam went up by just 100 millimeters to 68.55 meters (inset)—still way below its normal level of 78 meters—as measured by dam officials on Friday. Manny Palmero

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is expected to strengthen his grip on power in the midterm polls next week, experts say, clearing a possible path to restoring the death penalty and advancing his pledge to rewrite the Constitution.

Duterte has found international infamy for his foul-mouthed tirades, but remains hugely popular among the Filipinos fed up with the country’s dysfunction and elite politicians.

He has pledged to bring back capital punishment for drug-related crimes as part of a deadly crackdown on narcotics in which thousands of alleged pushers and users have already been

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Duterte draws flak for ‘underwear joke’ PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday publicly flirted with a town mayor of Bohol he called “beautiful,” saying he would grab her underwear “even until the garter snaps.”

Speaking at a campaign rally for his longtime aide and former Next page

President seen to tighten grip after May 13

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Palace clears Ho, Diaz from ‘matrix’ linkage

By Nat Mariano MALACAÑANG on Friday cleared athlete Gretchen Ho and Olympian Hidilyn Diaz of any involvement in the alleged plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte, blaming journalists for the “wrong analysis” of the diagrams.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said “some media outfits” erred when they reported that both Ho and Diaz were implicated in the plot.

“No, the diagram only showed that Rodel Jayme is active on Facebook, showing who he follows and visualizing his character, persuasion, and political interests,” Panelo said Friday.

“They were shown [in the diagram] but that doesn’t mean they’re involved,” he added.

He said he would not apologize to Ho and Diaz, and said it was the journalists who should do so.

Gov’t okays 6-month pilot test for ‘Angkas’

By Maricel V. Cruz THE government has approved the pilot implementation of motorcycle taxi operations for six months in Metro Manila and Cebu starting in June.

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2019 POLLS: THE FINAL PUSH Tingog lead nominee to sustain ‘malasakit’

By Maricel V. Cruz

Remote island voters of 200 all set for polls KALAYAAN, Pag-asa Island—The remote municipality of Kalayaan on Pag-asa Island, Palawan and its more than 200 registered voters are all set for Monday’s midterm elections.

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TINGOG first nominee and Leyte First District Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt Romualdez on Friday vowed to sustain her “malasakit” (public service with a heart) brand of service and performance in serving the electorate Next page

Comelec accredits Lente as citizen arm THE watchdog group Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente) will act as the Commission on Elections’ citizen arm for the May 13 polls after the National Movement for Free Elections rejected its accreditation with the voting body.

In a press briefing Friday, ComeNext page

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte (center) is flanked by House Speaker Gloria MacapagalArroyo and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos as she joins the 13 senatorial candidates of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago regional party, her brother and congressional candidate Paolo Duterte, and Lakas-CMD President and Leyte congressional bet Martin Romualdez (right) on stage during the HNP grand campaign rally that drew more than 15,000 supporters to the venue in Davao City. Earlier, Romualdez snaps a selfie with Paolo Duterte (inset) and other local bets of the regional party. Ver Noveno Opposition senatorial candidates Chel Diokno and Florin Hilbay (foreground) angle their smartphones to capture fellow ‘Otso Diretso’ bets Gary Alejano, Bam Aquino, Erin Tanada, Mar Roxas, Samira Gutoc and Romy Macalintal (partly obscured) during a campaign rally in Manila on Wednesday night. AFP

Arroyo, Romualdez back ‘Hugpong’ candidates

DAVAO CITY—While President Rodrigo Duterte skipped the miting de avance of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago senatorial candidates in his own bailwick on Thursday night, House Speaker Gloria MacapagalArroyo and former Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, the Lakas-CMD party national president, appeared here to show their support to the candidates.

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News

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019

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Palace: 6-7% GDP still in reach

By Nat Mariano

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ALACAÑANG has expressed optimism that the government will still reach its economic target of 6 to 7 percent growth by the end of 2019, saying the “economic momentum” is on the country’s side now that the budget deadlock has been resolved.

subject the then-proposed P3.757-trillion General Appropriations Bill to President Rodrigo Duterte’s discretion and exclusive veto power.”

“I myself said that if the budget passage is delayed too much, our GDP would get affected, and I wasn’t wrong,” Bravo told reporters.

The Philippine Statistics Authority attributed the slow growth to the delayed approval of the 2019 government budget.

But Panelo said “the delay in our infrastructure program because of the budget deadlock during the first quarter is now a thing of the past.

“The Palace, therefore, remains confident that we will still reach our fullyear 2019 economic target of 6 to 7

percent,” he said, echoing the previous remarks of Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.

“We expect higher growth in the next few quarters as the ‘Build Build Build’ infrastructure program starts to gather steam.”

Panelo was also hopeful that Manila’s economic growth would improve as the government took measures to “decisively address” inflation.

“The economic momentum is on our side,” Panelo said.

“The future looks bright despite the prophets of doom and the negative forces that try to mislead our countrymen into believing an opposite outlook who, however, refuse to bite.” With Maricel V. Cruz

In a statement late Thursday, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte and his Cabinet “have been thoroughly briefed and apprised” on the deceleration of the country’s gross domestic product, marking a four-year-low 5.6 percent growth in the first quarter.

Meanwhile, an official aid the Senate is equally to blame for the delay in the en-

actment of the 2019 national budget. The government economic team had said that was the reason for the slowdown in the growth of the gross national product during the first quarter of the year.

Senior Deputy Minority Leader Anthony Bravo said some senators deserved some blame as well since they “took their own sweet time before finally deciding to

‘Bikoy’...

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Baldo surfaces after hiding over Batocabe killing

Albayalde said Advincula has two pending arrest warrants issued by Benguet and Baguio courts in 2007 for estafa and large-scale illegal recruitment.

A new case—also for estafa--was filed against Advincula before the Justice Department Friday, for organizing a beauty pageant and then disappearing without distributing prizes for the winners and wages for the staff.

Complainant Arven E. Valmores of Ardeur World Marketing accused Advincula of using his corporate name and logo to promote the beauty pageant in 2018 without his consent.

“Respondent never attended the coronation night and became unreachable thereafter leaving all the members of the production staff unpaid,” Valmores said in his complaint.

He said the staff and the winners started communicating with him after Advincula disappeared, and that he had to shell out P304,422 to pay them.

“Respondent because unreachable and efforts to locate him to answer for his misrepresentation remained [unsuccessful] until recently... [when] he surfaced at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines,” the complainant said.

On Wednesday, Albayalde said Advincula apparently had a reputation of selling information—sometimes false--to law enforcement agencies.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier advised Advincula to substantiate his accusations against the Dutyerte family before the proper authorities or face the consequences of his actions.

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson said the PNP should dig deeper into Advincula’s links with police officials in 2016. With PNA

President...

From A1 killed.

Duterte’s tough-on-crime platform―which also includes lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 12―was key to his landslide election victory in 2016.

Among the 18,000 posts up for grabs on Monday are half of the seats in the upper house Senate, which has stopped cold some of Duterte’s most controversial policy initiatives.

Opinion polls suggest administration loyalists are strong favorites to capture the Senate and keep control of the lower House of Representatives.

Duterte has also pledged to rewrite the Constitution, which would open avenues to prolonging his power beyond a legally-mandated single term that ends in 2022. AFP Any change of the nation’s Consti-

Tingog...

From A1 under the Duterte administration as her team ended the 90-day grueling campaign period.

“Now is the time for change and we need one strong voice that will fulfill the dreams, hopes, and aspirations of the people who have been battling poverty for a long time. Let’s give the Eastern Visayas the chance to be one of the country’s most competitive regions in the country,” said Romualdez.

Comelec...

From A1 lec Commissioner Luie Tito Guia said Lente will conduct the random manual audit of the midterm elections.

However, Namfrel chairman Gus Lagman clarified his group is not reneging on its obligation to lead the audit or RMA in a phone interview with UNTV News.

LEGAZPI CITY―Daraga town Mayor Carlwyn Baldo on Friday surrendered at the Legazpi City Regional Trial Court.

Police spokesman Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib said Baldo, who was accompanied by his family and lawyer, appeared before RTC Branch 10 Judge Maria Theresa San Juan-Loquillano around 8:30 a.m.

Calubaquib said the judge ordered

Baldo to be detained at the Legazpi City jail pending his arraignment on May 30.

Baldo had been in hiding since Monday after Loquillano issued an arrest warrant against him for double murder and six counts of attempted murder over the killing of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his police escort at a gift-giving event in Burgos village, an upland village in Daraga, on Dec. 22 last year.

Loquillano was tasked to hear two separate cases against Baldo, the first case for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and the second for double murder and attempted murder together with six others.

Vice Mayor Victor Perete is waiting for an order from the Interior department to assume the position of acting town mayor following Baldo’s surrender. PNA

Rody:...

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during the campaign period and election.

Hours before attending the campaign in Bohol, Duterte said he dropped by Negros Occidental to confront a local chief executive suspected of creating a ruckus.

“Well, there’s a certain mayor that’s really the suspect of everybody. So, I confronted the mayor. I talked to him,” he said, without mentioning the mayor’s name.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the country’s armed forces have prepared themselves for the elections.

“The military and police are prepared,” Lorenzana said.

The Commission on Election, however, said that it has received dozens of complaints about rampant vote buying.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said several candidates still resorted to “money politics” to bribe voters, saying cases of vote buying in the final leg of the election campaign are very common during elections.

In a forum, Jimenez admitted that there are many last-minute voters who wait for the highest bidder, adding “it’s something that’s talked about all the time that people are hanging around outside, refusing to go in on the off chance that someone will approach them and give money.”

Jimenez urged the public to report any incident of vote buying..

Comelec Commissioner Rowena

Guanzon said vote buying includes giving away of gadgets, cash and other items, which is an election offense.

Guanzon also appealed to candidates and the public not to participate in vote buying as it tarnishes the image of the election in the country.

Jimenez, on the other hand said vote buyers and sellers are the only ones to be blamed for the occurrence of vote buying, and not the electoral system.

Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Greco Belgica also urged Filipinos to report cases of vote-buying in their areas.

“We encourage everyone to report all cases of vote-buying. Every report will have a significant effect in our fight against corruption. Do not be afraid. We will protect you and file appropriate charges against the violators,” Belgica said in a statement.

Belgica said vote-buying and election fraud destroy the country’s democratic process.

“When a candidate chooses to pay for your votes, they show utter disregard for our democratic process and a willingness to use illegal means to further their interests,” he added.

Belgica reminded candidates of President Duterte’s call for a clean and honest 2019 elections.

“The President is serious in having a clean election,” he said. With PNA

to review the issue of allowing motorcycles as a form of public transportation.

The TWG included members from the Department of Transportation, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Land Transportation Office, the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group, the Metro Manila Development Authority, and representatives of the Senate, House of Representatives, commuter

welfare groups, road safety advocates, motorcycle manufacturers, motorcycle organizations and law schools.

“Our approval of the pilot implementation of the motorcycle taxi operations is proof that the government is listening to and addresses the woes, concerns and suggestions of our riding public,” Tugade said.

The DOTr created the TWG in December to draft general guidelines for the implementation of the pilot run.

Arroyo and Romualdez, who was earlier declared by HNP campaign manager Davao Mayor Sara Duterte as the “next Speaker of the House,” shared the stage with the 13 senatorial bets backed by the regional party.

HNP, led by Sara Duterte, has

been campaigning for the 13 candidates gunning for the 12 Senate seats up for grabs in the midterm elections on Monday.

Former Senator Bong Revilla, recently acquitted by the Sandiganbayan of the plunder charge over the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam after being in prison for over four years, is the lone Lakas candidate in the HNP senatorial slate.

Arroyo, also of Lakas-CMD before joining the ruling PDP-Laban party, and Romualdez pitched the HNP senatorial candidates in their home provinces in Pampanga and Leyte, respectively.

The HNP campaign kicked off in vote-rich Pampanga and ended in Sara Duterte’s turf in Davao City, where she is seeking reelection with her brother Sebastian “Baste” as her running mate.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

She also stressed the importance to further industrialize Eastern Visayas to generate more jobs and uplift the region from poverty.

“Rest assured that the malasakit governance we have been implementing will continue to ensure that people who are less in life would enjoy more government’s malasakit under President Rodrigo Duterte through more funding on education, health and other social services,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez recalled that it was her husband, former Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, now a returning congress-

man, who served as the former House Independent Bloc Leader of the previous 16th Congress, who initiated the “malasakit” advocacy in public service and performance during the latter’s three-term as lawmaker of the First District of Leyte “We would like to reiterate our appreciation to all our supporters who joined us during the campaign period.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you very much,” said Romualdez, the chairperson of the House committee on accounts, assuring their supporters that they will not “waste the trust and confi-

Duterte...

From A1

“It was Namfrel who had been chairing [the RMA] then. It might still be Namfrel to chair it now,” Lagman said, while also saying their group’s recent statement was “just a reaction” opposing the Comelec’s decision not to give them access to voters’ data or electronic information on the election results.

The independent poll watcher, accredited by Comelec since 1986, had warned that the midterm elections could be vulnerable to attacks.

But Lagman said: “There is no security problem there because those are results from each precinct. And Comelec has a website, so they should make it accessible to anybody who is interested.

And because they will not put it in their website, we plan to just put it in Namfrel’s website so everybody can see.”

The Namfrel head still hopes the Comelec will change its decision and approve their request. Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo

Remote...

From A1

opinion. If you don’t believe me, fine.

It’s not a problem,” he said.

Duterte said Roxas acts “like a senyorito” in public while “the fool is very arrogant” in private.

“There are people who have weak principles just like Mar. Why should I even be surprised?” he said.

“You do not need Mar Roxas in your life, ladies and gentleman. I’m telling you. You don’t need him,” he added.

The President endorses the senatorial bids of former Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa, his former assistant, Christopher Go, former political adviser Francis Tolentino, Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, and reelectionist Senator Aquilino Pimentel III. He also campaigns for folk singer Freddie Aguilar, re-electionist Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, JV Ejercito, and Cynthia Villar, Taguig City Rep. Pia Cayetano, and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.

The President vowed to deliver peaceful elections this year and reminded all candidates not to resort to violence and let the people exercise their right to vote freely.

He also ordered members of the Armed Forces and the police to remain neutral

Gov’t...

From A1 In a statement Friday, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said he has approved the guidelines for the pilot implementation of motorcycle ride-hailing services such as Angkas, following its recommendation by a technical working group (TWG) created by the department

Arroyo,...

From A1

Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco, who is running for governor of Bohol, the President openly admired the beauty of host town Garcia Hernandez Mayor Tita V. Baja-Gallantes.

“You are truly beautiful. If it were me, why would I ever break up with you?” Duterte said from the podium, alluding to the fact that Baja-Gallantes is separated from her husband.

“I will really grab and hold on to your

This, after its sole vote counting machine (VCM) and two Commission on Elections (Comelec) personnel tasked to supervise the polls were transported to the island via the Air Force’s C-295 medium transport aircraft on Thursday.

Lilibeth Ustare, Election Officer II, in an interview with the Philippine News

LP’s Pangilinan: Who’s the real minority party?

By Macon Ramos-Araneta LIBERAL Party president Francis Pangilinan on Friday questioned the “incredible decision” of the Commission on Elections to declare the Nacionalista Party the dominant minority party.

The Comelec had also ruled that the ruling Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino the dominant majority party.

“How can that happen when the PDP and NP are both allied with the Administration?” asked Pangilinan who is also the campaign manager of the opposition Otso Diretso senatorial candidates.

“How can they be both majority and minority? Is the PDP-NP alliance the new KBL (Kilusan Bagong Lipunan)?

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the ranking of the political parties was based on a five-point criteria, including the parties’ accreditation, their showing in the past elections and the number of incumbent elective officials.

He said PDP-Laban earned 55.74 points while the NP earned 35.87 points, according to a May 8 Comelec en banc resolution released on Friday.

The NP is the party founded by former Senate President Manny Villar while PDP-Laban was founded by Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., who also served as Senate President.

President Rodrigo Duterte and former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III are the chairman and president of PDP-Laban, respectively.

“Honorable Commissioners, your decision runs counter to democracy.

Runs counter to the basic tenets of fair play. Runs counter to common sense, Pangilinan said. With Vito Barcelo

Palace...

From A1 “The problem was some of your acquaintances released it to the newspapers that they’re involved. Others then believed that they’re indeed involved, but that’s not what the diagram meant,” Panelo said.

He said the diagram, where names of the two athletes were mentioned, was only meant to “visualize” the online activities of Jayme, who has been charged with inciting to sedition for creating a website that shared videos accusing the President’s family and supporters of accepting drug money.

On Wednesday, Panelo presented to the media a new set of diagrams to illustrate a plot aimed at discrediting the Duterte administration and boosting the opposition senatorial slate “Otso Diretso.”

Jayme, the owner and web developer of the Metrobalita.net, was tagged in the same conspiracy, along with the Liberal Party, the Magdalo group, other political personalities, and some media organizations.

Panelo said Metrobalita was identified as the first website to initially circulate the Youtube video series entitled “Ang Totoong Narcolist” in two separate articles dated April 2, 2019.

Panelo said Jayme was directly affiliated with the LP, as he was identified as the administrator of pro-LP Facebook pages such as “The Aquino Legacy.”

Panelo said Jayme also handled the online propaganda machiner of the LP during the 2016 presidential election.

One slide in Panelo’s presentation showed that Jayme follows Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, Pilo Hilbay, Hidilyn Diaz, and Presh Ong. panty if you try to leave, even until the garter snaps. You’re just too beautiful,” the President added.

While women’s rights group Gabriela called the President’s remarks “lewd” and “putrid,” Baja-Gallantes clarified to ABS-CBN news on Friday that she was not offended by them, and understood that Duterte was merely joking.

“It was just clearly a joke. Fifteen years in public service, I’m not easily affected,” she told ABS-CBN in a phone interview.

Baja-Gallentes said she does not see “any bad interpretation with those remarks.” Nat Mariano Agency, said she was not anticipating any problem or trouble during the election.

However, Ustare said, she was not taking any chance, reason they brought with them an extra VCM should the lone machine assigned to the municipality suffer from some technical difficulties on election day.

She said it was her first time on Pagasa Island as she used to be the election officer of Cagayancillo town, the nearest settlement to the Tubbataha National Marine Park. PNA

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SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Oversight hearing tackles DoTr expenses

By Maricel V. Cruz

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ONGRESSMEN want transportation officials to report to the House of Representatives the effects of the delay in the enactment of the 2019 national government budget as well as the status of the various loans offered by China and Japan.

During an oversight hearing at the House of Representatives attended by Speaker Gloria Arroyo, the Committees on Appropriations chaired by Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. of Camarines

Sur and on Transportation chaired by Rep. Cesar Sarmiento of Catanduanes were briefed on the performance of the Department of Transportation with regard to its use of the 2018 and 2019 budgets as well as its 2020 budget proposal.

Rep. Federico Sandoval II of Malabon, vice chairman of the Committee on Appropriations who presided over the meeting, told the DoTr officials who attended the meeting: “We want to hear regarding your foreignfunded projects, the commitment of various countries in the development of our rail projects, airports and ports, if there are any.”

Sandoval added that the committee wanted to know if the DoTr had any savings left from its last year’s budget as well as the agency’s needs for the coming year.

Alvarez facing plunder complaint before Ombudsman

By Rio N. Araja EX-House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is facing a graft and plunder complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman over supposed ill-gotten wealth.

In a 12-page May 6 complaint, Jeffrey Lopez Cabigon, Alvarez’s former security aide, alleged the Davao del Norte lawmaker and his chief of staff in Congress, Edwin Jubahib, violated Republic Act 7080 or Plunder Law and RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt

Practices Act. The complainant of Barangay Tibulao, Carmen, Davao del Norte, cited at least 11 instances in which Alvarez and Jubahib accumulated vast sums of money that they used to buy various luxury vehicles and some large tracts of real estate in Panabo City and Davao City.

He claimed Jubahib, whom he met while working for a mining operation in 2016, was then poor at that time, and that he enriched himself when the

3 ISIS-linked suspects nabbed POLICE have arrested three suspected members of Islamic State-linked extremist group Daulah Islamiyah Ranao in operations in Parañaque City and Cainta, Rizal.

Operatives from the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group first arrested Marawi City natives Norodin Abolkhair Manalinding and Cairo Gen Manatao Abolkhair in Baclaran, Parañaque City around 3:30 a.m. after they yielded firearms, an explosive device and ammunition following a surveillance operation.

Another suspected member of the terror group identified as Tagoranao Dimaro Sarip Jr. was arrested around 6 a.m. in barangay Sto. Domingo, Cainta through search warrants for possessing il-

legal firearms and explosives.

Initial investigation revealed that Manalinding is an alleged finance facilitator and recruiter of the terrorist group.

The CIDG said Sarip is a member of the media cell of ISIS responsible in spreading propaganda for the group.

“These accomplishments of the CIDG forms part of the group’s focused law enforcement operations in connection with the government’s intensified effort to track down identified members of the ISIS-Daulah Islamiyah Ranao extremist group,” Police Lt. Col. Arnold Thomas Ibay, CIDG Metro Manila chief, told reporters in a press conference at the national police headquarters in Camp Crame.

Vulnerable voters

REELECTIONIST Sen. Nancy Binay has appealed to election officers to be sensitive to the needs of “vulnerable voters” after persons with disabilities expressed doubt they will be provided special precincts on Monday.

“We are always appealing to give special polling precinct to our PWDs, senior citizens and pregnant women,” she said.

If it’s possible, she said there should be an information kiosk the moment they entered polling places and volunteers to assist them.

The Commission on Elections assured PWDs and senior citizens that there would be Emergency Accessible Polling Places (EAPP). Macon Ramos-Araneta

Institutional memory THE 95-year old former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Friday vowed to use his “institutional memory” from 50 years of service in government if he would be elected anew as Senator on Monday.

“I intend to bring all my years of experience, knowledge, and recollection of past laws, programs, and events for this last term in the Upper Chamber,” said Enrile.

Apart from what he learned in four terms as Senator and then as Senate President, and as heads of different agencies, Enrile said he also extensively studied the new problems hounding the Philippines. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Campaign platform BROADCAST journalist and Senatorial candidate Jiggy Manicad has reiterated his campaign is directed towards the Filipino people and not towards other politicians.

“For the longest time, many candidates for national positions have always put a premium on who can get which governor, mayor or party on their side,” he said.

Because of this practice, he said the campaign goal had been shifted to what they wanted to hear from the local officials they were courting and not what the people had to say.

“That is not what I wanted to do. I am bringing myself close not as a leader who’s thinking of his position but as a public servant to help the poor,” said Manicad who is running under the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Manicad also stressed that his campaign slogan—“Hindi magnanakaw at hinding hindi magnanakaw”—would stay as it is no matter how other candidates might have perceived it to be.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Koko rises in surveys WITH the campaign entering its final week, Senate Trade and Commerce Committee Chair Aquilino Pimentel III was one of the Senate race’s biggest gainers, rising three percentage points in the recently published April 28 to May 3 Social Weather Stations survey and solidifying his spot among the 12 candidates likely to win a Senate seat in the May 13 elections.

The results mirror the reelectionist senator’s performance in the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted from April 10 to 14, which had Pimentel rising four spots from from the previous poll conducted by Pulse Asia from March 23 to 27, his supporters said.

lawmaker became the Speaker of the 17th Congress in July 2016.

“They (Alvarez and Jubahib) were able to instantly purchase two ‘Hummer’ vehicles…bought in cash from Subic… respectively, amounting to P6 million and P8 million,” the complaint read.

He said the duo also received two brand new, bullet proof Toyota Land Cruiser acquired by Alvarez through Jubahib, and that they also bought an FJ Toyota Cruiser and a Mercedes Benz G55 worth P12 million.

SOCIALIZED HOUSING. Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday joins the oversight hearing of the Committee on Housing and Urban Development, chaired by Rep. Alfredo Benitez (3rd District, Negros Occidental), which continued its deliberations on House Resolution 2067, seeking to conduct an inquiry on the implementation of Proclamation 627, declaring a portion of Barangay Comembo, Makati City to be reserved for off-base housing of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

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Opinion

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Our wonderful IBP leadership SECTION 14 (2), Article III of the 1987 Constitution is perhaps the most famous constitutional provision, known by both legal practitioners and non-lawyers alike.

It provides that “(i)n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved, and shall enjoy the right to be heard by himself and counsel xxx.” This is a fundamental concept, taught as early as first year in law school, and serves as a reminder to all lawyers that the right of an accused to counsel by a member of the bar is immutable, and to deprive the accused of this right is akin to the denial of due process.

Thank you compañeros and compañeras for your service.

On Monday, May 6, Peter Joemel Advincula alias Bikoy surfaced in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines main office in Pasig. During a press conference, he asked for legal assistance to sue presidential son and former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and presidential aide and senatorial candidate Bong Go, among others, in connection with the drug trade. However, his request for representation was denied, with IBP President Abdiel Fajardo saying that the “IBP cannot be seen to be siding with or going against any candidate or political party.” He also said that such a decision was reached independently through a perusal of the National Center of Legal Aid Manual of Operations. Fajardo also

said all communications and documents provided, according to the IBP, will also remain confidential, protected by attorney-client privilege.

As a response to the events of Monday, IBP-Davao City Chapter released a statement lashing out at the IBP national leadership, claiming that the latter allowed itself to be used, and that Advincula’s case is not deserving of the Chapter’s support because the IBP is supposedly non-partisan, and should not cater to political interest.

Solicitor General Jose Calida has also weighed in and accused the IBP leadership of allowing itself to be a platform against the Duterte government.

This criticism of the IBP leadership is absolutely unfounded. The IBP, as manifested by the statements of Fajardo and Egon Cayosa, incoming President, has acted fairly and in the most upright way on this issue. Its National Center of Legal Aid, headed by the brilliant and committed June Ambrosio, have acted in accordance with its rules and has made the right decision here. Indeed, the IBP cannot be seen as being politically partisan.

The current leadership has been consistent on that, calling issues as they see it.

Allow me to use this controversy as a teaching moment, evoking issues beyond the Bikoy controversy.

The right to counsel is a fundamental right that every Filipino possesses, regardless of one’s gender, history, political affiliation, religious beliefs, or the lawyer’s own opinion regarding the guilt of the person. This is found in Rule 14.01, Canon 14, of the Code of Professional Responsibility. The former case of estafa filed against Bikoy Advincula is not sufficient reason not to avail himself of this particular right. To refuse him this right will not further the ends of justice. It will, instead, derail it.

On the other hand, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines has the mission, under R.A. 6397, to raise the standards of the legal profession, improve the administra-

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

The last push

T

ODAY, May 11, is the last day of the campaign period for national and local candidates for Monday’s election. All of them will make that final push to ensure their victory. greatly from the power of machinery, given the support of the powers-that-be. They started the race with hardly anyone being aware of their names, but now the likelihood is all too high that they will sport the word “Honorable” come July.

Some participated in debates, to varying performance results. Some showed themselves knowledgeable of pressing issues and aware of what they intend to do once they get elected.

Others banked on mere bravado, or popularity, or even good looks.

On this last day, these candidates already likely know deep in their hearts whether they would win or not. They likely know, too, what they would do—gloat or be humbled by their victory, or reject defeat and claim that they were cheated.

The past period was a whirlwind of events for these aspirants, as well as their funders and supporters. Surveys and mock polls showed the supposed preferences of particular groups that have acted as respondents.

Candidates tried to get on the good side of religious and other groups perceived powerful enough to sway their supporters’ choices. They employed political advertisements, popular endorsers, witty phrases to increase their likelihood of winning.

Some went to great lengths to smear their rivals, or, in extreme cases, eliminate them from the race altogether.

Many candidates exploited some voters’ propensity to see elections as a way to make money by going for the highest bidder.

Some aspirants benefited

But this last campaign day is all the more crucial for voters, not for candidates. It’s the voters who have a real stake in the elections. It will be our future that is shaped, or mangled, by the choices we will make on Monday.

Depending on the quality of one’s connections, social media feeds these days tend to be full of commentary and endorsements or rejections of this or that candidate.

There are saving graces.

There are helpful tools shared online that can help voters make issues-based choices and shun the noise surrounding political personalities. Such tools also allow us to see through the candidates beyond whoever is endorsing them, and despite their well-funded campaign ads that project them to be men and women of service.

It’s the last push, indeed, for Filipinos to assert that their right to vote is coupled with the obligation to choose wisely and deliberately.

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Woke youth rising IN JUST a few days, the results of the 2019 midterm elections will be known and we will, more or less, know the direction our country may be heading. A lot is at stake in this election. On this depends whether our democracy will live or remain in perpetual comatose; the Philippines will continue to lose territory and natural resources to China; the killing of innocents in the name of the war on drugs will go on; human rights, particularly the freedom of the press will be further repressed; more political enemies will be jailed; Vice President Leni Robredo will be impeached; and Charter Change and federalism will be rammed down our throats. It is with much trepidation that I will be awaiting the election’s results.

The latest official survey results are quite discouraging.

The Social Weather Stations (SWS) March 2019 survey showed the following as leading candidates for the twelve senate seats: Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Bong Go, Pia Cayetano, Sonny Angara, Bong Revilla, Bato Dela Rosa and Lito Lapid (tie), Nancy Binay, Jinggoy Estrada, Koko Pimentel, and Bam Aquino. Just outside of the winning circle but within striking distance are JV Ejercito Imee Marcos, and Francis Tolentino who ranked 13th to 15th respectively.

The Pulse Asia’s April survey is not much different. It had the following results: Villar, Poe, Lapid, Cayetano, Go, Angara, Revilla, Dela Rosa, Binay, Pimentel, Marcos, and Estrada occupying the magic 12 slots. Aquino, Ejercito, and Serge Osmeña occupied the 13th to 15 positions.

Both surveys foretell a landslide victory for administration candidates despite the fact that several of them have been implicated in graft and corruption case. These include Revilla, Estrada, and Marcos. Lapid’s wife, on the other hand, pleaded guilty to smuggling of tens of thousands of United States’ dollars in the US. Add to this, Dela Rosa led the bloody war on drugs that killed tens of thousands of poor Filipinos, while Go has lately been labeled as a drug lord by “Bikoy” who recently surfaced.

It is no secret that Cayetano, Go, Revilla, Dela Rosa, Pimentel, Estrada, Lapid, Marcos, Tolentino, and Ejercito are Duterte allies. Their victory will mean that Duterte will have a super majority in the Senate. This means that he will get whatever he wants from a stamp pad legislature.

All is not lost, however. The Filipino youth is sending us a very strong message.

If we compare the results of the SWS and Pulse Asia surveys with the actual results of mock elections conducted in many university campuses, we will find a big difference. Our young people’s preferences are clear: they do not favor this administration’s stooges. Instead, they are leaning towards progressive candidates in the opposition. Check the following winners in the various mock elections held in different universities: Ateneo de Manila University—Diokno, Gutoc, Colmenares, Poe, Aquino, Hilbay, Roxas, Alejano, Tañada, Ong, Angara, Cayetano De La Salle University Dasmariñas— Diokno, Tañada, Gutoc, Colmenares, Aquino, Hilbay, De Guzman, Macalintal, Poe, Ong, Alejano, Pimentel and Roxas (tie)

Our youth and students want the Senate to be independent and progressive.

De La Salle University Lipa—Diokno, Poe, Aquino, Gutoc, Hilbay, Colmenares, Villar, Roxas, Tañada, Angara, Cayetano, Macalintal Far Eastern University(FEU)—Diokno, Gutoc, Colmenares, Poe, Aquino, Hilbay, Roxas, Alejano, Tañada, Ong, Angara, Cayetano Mapua University—Diokno, Colmenares, Aquino, Gutoc, Hilbay, Alejano, Roxas, Tañada, Poe, De Guzman, Osmeña, Angara Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)—Poe, Tañada, Diokno, Gutoc, Aquino, Villar, Cayetano, Ejercito, Pimentel, Colmenares, Hilbay, De Guzman Saint Louis University (Baguio)— Diokno, Poe, Gutoc, Colmenares, Hilbay, Cayetano, Aquino, Angara, Osmeña, Pimentel, Villar, Binay University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman—Diokno, Colmenares, Gutoc, Hilbay, Aquino, De Guzman, Tañada, Roxas, Poe, Alejano, Macalintal, Binay UP Baguio—Diokno, Colmenares, Gutoc, Hilbay, Poe, Aquino, Roxas, Tañada, Alejano, De Guzman, Cayetano, Angara UP Manila—Diokno, Colmenares, Gutoc, Hilbay, Aquino, Poe, Tañada, De Guzman, Roxas, Alejano, Binay, Macalintal UP Mindanao—Diokno, Gutoc, Col-

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Social networks under intense surveillance in Pakistan

By Joris Fioriti THREATS, arrests, blocked accounts and restricted posts—Big Brother is watching more closely than ever in Pakistan as authorities accelerate efforts to censor social networks, further reducing an already shrunken space for dissent.

In the past 18 months, a slew of journalists, activists, and government opponents—both at home and overseas—have faced intimidation or the threat of legal action for their online posts.

Censorship is already rife among Paki-

stan's mainstream media, with the Committee to Protect Journalists noting last year that the military had "quietly but effectively" imposed strict limits on the scope of general news reporting.

Platforms such as Facebook and Twitter were regarded as the last holdouts of dissenting voices, but now that has changed.

In February, authorities announced the creation of a new enforcement arm to root out social media users accused of spreading "hate speech and violence" as part of the crackdown.

Gul Bukhari, a columnist and some-

time government critic who was briefly abducted by unidentified men last year, said the assault on social media was carefully organised and coordinated.

"It is the last frontier they try to conquer,"Bukhari explained.

Silence dissent Journalist Rizwan-ur-Rehman Razi was among the people targeted. He was arrested in February at home in the eastern city of Lahore for publishing "defamatory and obnoxious" content against the state.

A few days earlier, he had criticized

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Opinion

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019

The untouchable godson A RANKING official at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has been brazenly building a public impression that he is untouchable on account of his closeness to President Duterte.

Although relatively new in the BOC, this official who holds two concurrent positions in the agency is wont to crowing that he is a godson of the President.

He apparently thinks that such connection with the powers-that-be elevate him above the law and that he has license to do as he pleases regardless of existing statutes.

His shameless braggadocio in both spoken word and body language rasps on the sensibilities of the rank and file, as well as the old-timers in the agency whose only concern is to discharge their respective jobs—honestly, sincerely, and well on a daily basis.

While they don’t openly talk about it, well-meaning BOC executives and their staff have little or no respect for the upstart Customs collection chief for obvious reasons.

But the biggest cause for their disenchantment with the presidential godson is his track record for poor performance.

This BOC official who presently heads the revenue-rich Manila International Container Port (MICP) keeps missing his collection targets. He is blind as a bat when it comes to hitting revenue marks.

Exhibit A: The report he submitted for the January-March 2019 collection showed he missed his mark by P3.488 billion.

The document showed that his target for Q1 was P43.069 billion but his report card stated only P39.581 billion.

Customs insiders asserted that it was highly unlikely for the MICP not to meet its target if only the correct tariff rates and duties were implemented.

They traced the shortfall to suspect-

ed underhanded tactics meant to undermine the collections through by an unholy alliance between the importers and the collection agents.

In effect, a virtual gang of thieves exists at the MICP, robbing their employer, in this case the government per se, of mind-boggling amounts in unpaid taxes.

The cheats’ modus operandi involves faulty declaration of the importations at the behest of some MICP people in a devious plot to undercut the tariffs and other levies mandated by law.

What ever happened to President Duterte’s uncompromising stand against corruption in the government service?

Instead of applying the correct dudu ties and taxes ranging from P180,000 to P220,000 per container for general merchandise commodity, the socalled “favored importers” were being coached to falsely declare their goods as single-item commodities which command much lower tariffs of P100,000 to P120,000 per container.

The rebates, with a P30,000-commission to boot, albeit illegal, strike the importers as an offer they cannot refuse.

In addition, the unscrupulous MICP officials have also allegedly formulated a tara (points) system of 5-50-250 meaning P5,000 per container, P50,000 for special containers, and P250,000 for the lifting of alerts for “service fee.”

That being said, we now raise the question: What ever happened to President Duterte’s uncompromising stand against corruption in the government service?

President Digong has vowed to weed out corruption within the first three to six months of his administration. We are now way beyond that promised state.

Anyway, more often than not, politi-

cal promises are basically empty words that have neither soul nor substance.

And promises are like laws—both are meant to be broken. *** The final cast.

It’s two days before election day and we have just received copies of the latest senatorial survey results, but not from the two largest polling firms but from two independent but reliable ones – Argus Polls, Inc. and The Center’s Pulso ng Pilipino.

The Argus survey was conducted from May 4 to 6 among 6,000 respondents while Pulso ng Pilipino was from April 29 to May 2 among 1,800 respondents.

While the two polling firms vary in the placing of the senatorial candidates, particularly on who will be landing on the top spot with Argus going for Cynthia Villar and The Center’s result going Grace Poe’s way, they basically much agree on who who will be landing on the winning circle except for two cancan didates. Argus has Koko Pimentel makmak ing it to the top 12 while The Center has Jinggoy Estrada.

Here’s how Argus sees it: Villar, Poe, Bong Go, Bato dela Rosa, Lito Lapid, Pimentel, Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Francis Tolentino and Bong Revilla.

The Center: Poe, Villar, Go, Angara, Binay, Dela Rosa, Cayetano, Tolentino, Lapid, Marcos, Estrada, and Revilla.

However, it should be noted that the endorsement of the religious groups, especially the influential Iglesia ni Cristo, has not yet been factored in both surveys. Interestingly, Pimentel did not make it to the INC’s list, which could dramatically affect his winning chances.

At the same time, while Estrada was lucky enough to get INC’s nod, it was his brother JV Ejercito who was picked by other religious group, although those groups may not be as big and dominant as the INC. Nonetheless, I pick on the Good One to send the self-proclaimed Anak ng Masa who’s saddled with plunder cases, packing up.

Just another black ops TRUTH once again prevailed over the massive campaign by several quarters to discredit not only President Duterte but also his family and the people close to him.

The Peter Joemel Advincula, alias Bikoy, expose is a well-funded and well-oiled black propaganda aimed at the Duterte family and the administration’s senatorial candidates in Monday’s election.

Surely, Advincula, along with Bikoy uploader Rodel Jayme, must have been paid with oodles and oodles of money that they are willing to risk imprisonment for a long time for sedition and cyber-libel.

Gladly, Senate President Tito Sotto and Sen. Ping Lacson have agreed to can-

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tion of justice, and enable the bar to discharge its public responsibility more effectively. It self-identifies as the sentinel of the rule of law, in line with its mandate to maintain independence and credibility as the umbrella organization of all lawyers in the Philippines. However, this does not mean that it cannot speak up on national issues. It has in fact, spoken up in the past regarding various issues that are of national interest, including releasing a statement in support of judicial independence and upholding the rule of law during the Sereno quo warranto issue, and fighting for Philippine sovereignty in the

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extra-judicial executions allegedly committed by the security forces, according to a copy of his tweets seen by AFP. Released after two nights, he has not tweeted since, and his posts have been deleted.

The net cast by the crackdown is a wide one, with Shahzad Ahmad, director of the digital security NGO Bytes for All, pointing to the harassment of civil rights activists, the political opposition, and bloggers.

According to Annie Zaman, an expert on cyber-censorship in Pakistan, this is made possible by an all-encompassing 2016 law that prohibits online posts that are deemed to compromise

cel indefinitely the Senate inquiry after both lawmakers found out that the Bikoy story is a mere figment of imagination

by Advincula, who was jailed for several years in Bicol for multiple estafa cases.

It would not only be a waste of time and money had the senators pushed through with the investigation. They would also have done a disservice to the Filipino people.

Advincula duped the officers of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) by submitting an application for legal assistance and calling for a news conference to announce he is Bikoy.

Surprisingly, some intelligent (or shall I say stupid?) lawyers of IBP allowed him to hold the media meeting and parroted the fake news contained in the viral video entitled “Ang Totoong Narco-list.”

However, after sensing that the netizens are not buying Advincula’s recent statement, the IBP quickly turned down his request for legal aid claiming that Bikoy’s story has no merit and they de-

nied having a hand in inviting the media in their office.

What a dumb excuse!

Hours after Advincula was out, reports came out that Bikoy is a notorious con-artist, jailed for four years in Leni Robredo’s hometown in Naga City for swindling. He also has pending cases of estafa, including illegal recruitment.

So, as it turned out, Bikoy is not a member of a syndicate turned whistleblower after all. Rather, he is an ex-convict who specializes in duping people, and making up tales for a fee.

And just like the other Duterte accusers in the past, this pseudo-whistleblower claims he had been a member of an illegal drugs syndicate headed by the former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go, based in Misibis Bay resort in Albay with links to the Hong Kong triad.

One can easily tell that Bikoy’s story is based on a telenovela in primetime tv, and only the illiterates and young audiences would believe.

West Philippine Sea. These acts that it has done in the past are but testaments to the fact that the Integrated Bar of the Philippines has the ability, if need be, to make political stances, with the view to extend justice, especially to those who need it most.

Whether the IBP will reconsider its stance on representing Bikoy Advincula is up to it, but one thing remains certain— Bikoy Advincula has the right to be represented, and he can ask it from any lawyer or organization of lawyers he deems fit will defend him best. On the flip side of this, the IBP must make its own independent decision to defend or not defend a client.

When I was a young lawyer, the late Romy Capulong, founder of the National

Union of People’s Lawyers and icon of human rights and social justice lawyering in the Philippines asked me, to join the national legal aid committee of the IBP. Capulong chaired that committee and wanted me to help transform it so we could take on big causes.

The current IBP leadership, including of the National Center of Legal Aid, is doing this. It’s a wonderful group of people leading us—Fajardo, Cayosa, Ambrosio, and our Governors. Thank you compañeros and compañeras for your service. You live today the words of our founder Justice JBL Reyes: “No master but law, no guide but conscience, no aim but justice.”

state security or offend anything from "the glory of Islam" to non-defined notions of "decency and morality."

"Because this law is vague, it gave more space to the authorities to censor online," Zaman said.

Offenders can face up to 14 years in prison.

The military signaled its involvement in the campaign as early as June last year, when spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor boasted of the capacity to monitor social media accounts during a televised press conference.

In a clear warning, Ghafoor briefly showed an image of what appeared to be specific Twitter handles and names.

Facebook and Twitter transparency reports show the crackdown was already

well underway last year, with a huge spike in requests by the Pakistani government seeking to censor online activity.

Facebook restricted more content in Pakistan than in any other country in the first six months of 2018, according to its transparency figures from that time period, which are the most recently available.

The social media giant said it restricted the availability of 2,203 pieces of content in total—a seven-fold jump from the previous six months.

All but 87 of the items had been reported by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority "as allegedly violating local laws prohibiting blasphemy, anti-judiciary content, and condemnation of the country's independence," it said.

The Pakistan Telecommunications Author-

Facebook Page: Professor Tony Laviña Twitter: tonylavs

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Break up Facebook, says company’s co-founder ONE of the co-founders of Facebook called on Thursday for the social media behemoth to be broken up, warning that the company's head, Mark Zuckerberg, had become far too powerful.

"It's time to break up Facebook," said Chris Hughes, who along with Zuckerberg founded the online network in their dorm room while both were students at Harvard University in 2004.

In an editorial published in The New York Times, Hughes said Zuckerberg's "focus on growth led him to sacrifice security and civility for clicks," and warned that his global influence had become "staggering."

Zuckerberg not only controls Facebook but also the widely used Instagram and WhatsApp platforms, and Hughes said that Facebook's board works more like an advisory committee than a check on the chief executive's power.

"Facebook accepts that with success comes accountability," said vice president of global affairs and communications Nick Clegg.

"But you don't enforce accountability by calling for the breakup of a successful American company."

Clegg, a British former deputy prime minister, reasoned that carefully crafted regulation of the internet is the way to hold technology companies accountable, and noted that Zuckerberg has been advocating for just that.

Facebook and its family of services have many competitors, and can find corporate efficiencies when it comes to data centers, talent and other resources that can work on its various offerings, Clegg said.

Hughes, who quit Facebook more than a decade ago, was pictured in the newspaper together with Zuckerberg when both were fresh-faced students launching Facebook as a campus networking tool.

He accused Facebook of acquiring or copying all of its competitors to achieve dominance in the social media field, meaning that investors were reluctant to back any rivals because they know they cannot compete for long.

Zuckerberg "has created a leviathan that crowds out entrepreneurship and restricts consumer choice," wrote Hughes, who is now a member of the Economic Security Project, which is pushing for a universal basic income in the United States.

After buying up its main competitors Instagram, where people can publish photos, and WhatsApp, a secure messaging service, Facebook now

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has 2.7 billion monthly users across its platforms and made a first quarter profit of $2.43 billion this year.

Break up Facebook's monopoly "The most problematic aspect of Facebook's power is Mark's unilateral control over speech. There is no precedent for his ability to monitor, organize and even censor the conversations of two billion people," said Hughes.

The company has been rocked by a series of scandals recently, including allowing its users' data to be harvested by research companies and its slow response to Russia using Facebook as a means to spread disinformation during the 2016 US election campaign.

Facebook is reportedly expecting to face a fine of $5 billion. It has also been investing heavily in staff and artificial intelligence to fight misinformation and other abuses at its platform.

A whistleblower group in Washington filed an official complaint that Facebook was unwittingly autogenerating content for terror-linked groups using its platform that its artificial intelligence systems do not recognize as extremist.

Facebook's software was automatically "creating and promoting terror content," the National Whistleblowers Center added in the complaint, by creating "celebration" and "memories" videos for extremist pages that had amassed sufficient views or "likes."

The group said Thursday it filed a complaint with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of a source that preferred to remain anonymous.

In his editorial, Hughes urged the government to break Instagram and WhatsApp away from Facebook and prevent new acquisitions for several years.

"The American government needs to do two things: break up Facebook's monopoly and regulate the company to make it more accountable to the American people," Hughes said.

"Even after a breakup, Facebook would be a hugely profitable business with billions to invest in new technologies—and a more competitive market would only encourage those investments," he said.

Hughes said the break-up, under existing anti-trust laws, would allow better privacy protections for social media users and would cost US authorities almost nothing.

Hughes said that he remained friends with Zuckerberg, noting that "he's human. But it's his very humanity that makes his unchecked power so problematic." AFP Cayetano, and Leody de Guzman.

It is very telling that none of the rabid Duterte allies (Bato, Go, Marcos) won in ANY of the mock elections. The same I true with the likes of Lapid, Revilla, and Estrada. Indeed, the results of these mock elections is a resounding rejection of the Duterte administration. These inform us of the young people’s positions on pressing issues. They do not like how this administration is giving away our territories and natural resources to China. They are against the killings perpetrated by the police using the war on drugs. They are against the corrupt. They do not favor how Duterte is repressing human rights and killing our democracy.

Our youth and students want the Senate to be independent and progressive as shown by their choices for senators. Our youth is WOKE and RISING. This makes me proud.

They are showing us the way and for once, let us listen and follow their example. Let us allow our young people to lead the way in ensuring that our country remains a democracy, our sovereignty is defended, and our human rights, respected.

Vote as our young people did in the mock elections. After all, we owe it to them that the country is peaceful and secure. They will take the responsibilities next.

It gives me hope knowing the our woke youth will stand up and rise for our country and people. Come May 13, emulate our youth. Vote for the progressive candidates they have overwhelmingly chosen.

May our young people’s will prevail.

menares, De Guzman, Poe, Hilbay, Aquino, Tañada, Cayetano, Angara, Alejano, Macalintal UP Visayas-College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences – Diokno, Gutoc, Colmenares, Poe, Aquino, Hilbay, Roxas, Alejano, Cayetano, Villar, Tañada, Binay UP Visayas Tacloban College—Colmenares, Diokno, Gutoc, De Guzman, Aquino, Hilbay, Tañada, Poe, Alejano, Osmeña, Roxas, Macalintal University of San Carlos School of Law (Cebu)—Diokno, Hilbay, Colmenares, Gutoc, Poe, Aquino, Osmeña, Tañada, Cayetano, Pimentel, Roxas, Angara University of Sto. Tomas (UST)— AMV College of Accountancy—Diokno, Gutoc, Colmenares, Poe, Hilbay, Aquino, Roxas, Tañada, Cayetano, Ong, Angara, Alejano Wesleyan University-Philippines (Cabanatuan City) – Diokno, Poe, Colmenares, Angara, Cayetano, Aquino, Gutoc, Hilbay, Tolentino, Osmeña, Villar, Macalintal The youth’s vote is overwhelmingly oppositionist. Otso Diretso candidates Chel Diokno, Samira Gutoc, Pilo Hilbay, and Bam Aquino won in all the 16 mock elections. The others, Erin Tañada, Mar Roxas, Gary Alejano, and Romy Macalintal won in most of these elections.

Grace Poe also won in all. Neri Colmenares made a very strong showing by winning in 15 of the 16 mock elections. The others who made it to the list of the favor- @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angites of our youth are Sonny Angara, Pia sioco on Facebook ity did not respond to requests for comment.

Overstepping boundaries Twitter figures for the same time period showed a similar trend, with requests to remove content from 3,004 accounts in Pakistan compared to 674 in the second half of 2017.

A Twitter spokesman said the vast majority of the requests had come from the government, and stressed that the company had acquiesced to none of them.

"The authorities are no longer hiding their agenda (or policy) to silence internetmediated dissent," said Rabia Mehmood, a researcher for Amnesty International.

"While the current censorship is exceptionally intense, over the years, one message has been consistent that criticism of policies of the Pakistan military

will not be tolerated."

Even those posting on social media from overseas have found themselves targeted.

Twitter routinely sends out a notice to users notifying them when the company receives complaints that their posts have violated a country's laws.

AFP has found dozens of users who received such a message warning they had violated Pakistani laws—including 11 who had tweeted from beyond Pakistan's borders, in countries such as Australia, the US and Canada.

The requests represent "a government censor overstepping jurisdiction boundaries", said Jillian York, an expert at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), an American NGO. AFP

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Sulong Dignidad seeks better social services for kids, seniors SULONG Dignidad partylist will introduce laws that will increase access of poor families to basic services and improve existing programs that give value to human dignity.

According to Sulong Dignidad president and first nominee Atty. Rico Paolo Quicho they will push for legislation that would institutionalize the government’s conditional cash transfer program, double the indigent senior citizens social pension, and give additional budget for feeding programs for children.

“We want to immediately institutionalize the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the government to make sure that the people are given what is due them,” he said.

“Once a law is in place, it would greatly help in monitoring beneficiaries and clean up the roster to cover only those who satisfy the requirements,” he added.

Aside from institutionalizing 4Ps, Quicho said doubling the social pension for seniors is necessary to help offset the increasing prices of basic commodities.

“While the prices of basic commodities continue to rise, the original P500 monthly social pension has not increased since 2010,” Quicho said.

“Bukod sa araw-araw na pangangailangan gaya ng pagkain, marami po sa ating mga senior citizens ang nangangailangan na rin ng mga gamot at iba pang medical services.

Kailangan na po nating dagdagan ang kanilang social pension,” Quicho added.

The Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, which currently covers 3.4 million indigent seniors, is the government’s assistance for poor seniors to augment their daily needs.

Quicho also said Sulong Dignidad will push for additional budget for the national feeding program to make sure that children in public daycares and public elementary schools are given proper nutrition.

Abby Binay leads rivals in Makati

By Joel E. Zurbano

V

ARIOUS independent surveys showed reelectionist Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay is leading consistently by a wide margin against her rivals, including her brother, former mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr., in the city’s mayoralty race.

In the latest non-commissioned survey conducted by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD Inc.) from May 4 to 8, Mayor Binay garnered 60 percentage points while her brother Junjun got 37 percentage points.

In an earlier survey of the said firm conducted from April 1 to 8, the mayor got a 67-percent voter preference rating, nearly double the 36 percent earned by her brother.

Mayor Binay again dominated the

mayoral race in a recent survey commissioned by a business group from April 5 to 8, in which she scored 68 percent to Junjun’s 26 percent.

An earlier survey commissioned by a private company, conducted from March 29 to 31, showed Abigail with 68 percent of the votes, and Junjun with 22 percent.

At the district level, the mayor got 56 percent in District 1 and 77 percent in District 2, while her brother got 36 percent in District 1 and 11 percent in District 2.

Another survey done by Pulse Asia in November last year showed that if the elections were held then, Mayor Abby would win handily with a decisive 71 percent of the vote, compared to 22 percent for Junjun.

In the said survey, incumbent Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, running mate of Mayor Abby, got 81 percent of respondents’ votes, while her opponent and Junjun’s running mate, Monsour del Rosario, got a mere 10 percent.

The results of a non-commissioned survey by Publicus Asia last November showed 67 percent of respondents will vote for Mayor Abby, while only 20 percent said they will cast their votes for Junjun.

In an earlier poll done last August 17 to 23, Pulse Asia proposed three sce-

IN BRIEF Manila settles debt with GSIS—Erap

MANILA Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Friday assured that the city government has already settled its obligation with the Government Security Insurance System after the Manila City hall paid more than P200million in unpaid premiums.

The city government has an outstanding liability of P204,215,076.45, representing employee contributions that had not been remitted before Mayor Estrada took office in 2013.

Mayor Estrada said that the city government’s financial management remains good and stable and can mend monetary responsibility with concerned private and government agencies.

“The city government has enough financial budget to pay its obligation, and in fact, we already settled the P200 million the city government owned to the Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Caesar left unpaid by former mayors Atienza and Lim,” Mayor Estrada said.

With the payment, Estrada said the City of Manila is now totally debt-free.

‘Waste disposal is Bataan’s problem’

DEMO DAY. Photo shows (from left), Titon Mitra, resident representative of the United Nations Development Program, Phils.; His

Excellency Steven Robinson, the Australian Ambassador to the Phils.; Dado Banatao, Chairman and Founder of PhilDev. Open forum with members of the media during a press conference of the Innovation for Social Impact Partnership (ISIP) at the Makati Diamond Residences in Makati City. ISIP hosted Demo Day for 10 beneficiaries of a six-month acceleration program for social enterprises (SEs) Batch 1 which aims to create innovations for social partnership to access markets, talent, capital and business guidance with potential investors. Diana B. Noche

Catholics free to choose among bets in Monday polls—bishops CATHOLIC prelates said the faithful are free to decide who to vote for in Monday's mid-term polls.

“We will always respect the freedom of our people to make a choice,” Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said in a text message on Friday.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said what they always do is to advise the faithful and use their conscience in choosing candidates.

“We Bishops can only give a solemn brotherly admonition to our faithful (through) Pastoral Letters, radio messages and other social media means, preferably outside Liturgical celebrations,” he said in a separate text message.

“Our duty is to help the faithful form their consciences regarding their choice of candidates. We Bishops must respect their freedom, hoping that their choice is

Padrigal St., Karuhatan, ValenzuelaCity Tel. No. 294-6711 to 16, Telefax 291-4259 Email address: valgen_hosp@yahoo.com

By Nat Mariano

InvItatIon to BId Procurement of varIous drugs and medIcInes cy 2019 (2nd semester) PuBLIc BIddIng no. vmc-2019-016 The Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC), through the General Appropriations Act/Income CY 2019, intends to apply the sum of Philippine Currency: TWENTY FIVE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY SIX THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FOURTEEN PESOS AND 56/100 ONLY, (Php25,456,314.56) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments for the Procurement of Various Drugs and Medicines CY 2019 (2ND Semester) under PB No. VMC-2019-016. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

1.

The VMC now invites sealed Bids from eligible Bidders for the procurement of the abovecaptioned package. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, entitled “Instructions to Bidders”.

2.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act” and is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or corporations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to Republic Act No. 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

3.

Only Bids from Bidders who passed the eligibility check will be opened. The process for the eligibility check is described in Section II of the Bidding Documents entitled, “ITB”. The Bidder with the Lowest Calculated Bid (LCB) shall advance to the post-qualification stage in order to finally determine the responsiveness of the bid submission to the technical and financial requirements of the project. The contract shall then be awarded to the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during the post-qualification procedure.

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the VMC and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00am-11:00am and 2:00pm-4:00pm starting May 10, 2018.

5.

The VMC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference for this bidding activity on May 20, 2019, 10:00 am at the Valenzuela Medical Center, Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City. Only those who have purchased the bidding documents shall be allowed to participate in the Pre-Bid Conference.

Those who have not purchased the bidding documents may act as observers and submit written queries, subject to the guidelines as stated in the IRR of RA 9184.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee in the amount of: ABC to be Bid

500,000 and below More than 500,000 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso) 500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00

The method of payment will be in cash, manager’s check, bank guarantee or surety bond. The Bidding Documents shall be received personally by the prospective bidder or his authorized representative. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity; Provided, that Bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

7.

Bids and eligibility requirements must be delivered to the address below on or before June 04, 2019, 10:00am, at the VMC BAC Secretariats’ Office.

8.

Bid Opening and Eligibility Check will be on June 04, 2019, 10:00 am Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late submission of bids will not be entertained. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security in the prescribed form, amount and validity period.

9.

good for the nation and their community,” the Catholic prelate added.

Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos noted that it is difficult for the Church to have a block vote as it does not impose on the faithful.

“She (Catholic Church) respects individual decisions and freedom. She guides and teaches what is right, legal and moral.

And she leaves her faithful to exercise

their rights and free will, without coercion or conditions,” Santos said.

At the same time, he reminded voters to support candidates who possess good values.

“National and local 2019 elections are very crucial, important and essential. We have to vote for God-fearing candidates, with good manners and moral characters and honest and not tainted with graft and corruption,” he added. PNA

Palace mourns passing of MinDA chief

Republic of the Phillippines Department of Health National Capital Regional Office VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER

6.

narios for registered voters, all of which projected landslide victories for the incumbent mayor.

Mayor Binay got 69 percent of the votes in a one-on-one scenario with Junjun, while she got 67 percent in a threeway match with her brother and Ricky Yabut. In the third scenario with her going up against Junjun and Romulo Peña Jr., the incumbent mayor got 65 percent.

Moreover, the Pulse Asia survey in August also found that Mayor Binay’s public support is echoed across all socioeconomic classes.

The same survey also showed former Vice President Jejomar Binay with a 66-percent voter preference rating in his bid as congressman of Makati’s first district. His opponent, Romulo Peña Jr., received 30 percent.

The Valenzuela Medical Center reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all Bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: BAC Secretariats’ Office Valenzuela Medical Center, Annex Building, 2nd Floor, Padrigal St., Valenzuela City Telefax No. 294-6711

MALACAÑANG on Friday mourned the passing of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairperson Datu Hj. Abul Khayr Dangcal Alonto, saying that the country remains grateful for his efforts in advancing the peace and development in Mindanao.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Palace expresses its deep sympathies and condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and loved ones of the late government official.

Alonto, at the age of 73, died late Wednesday due to heart and lung complications.

Alonto was appointed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in September 2016, becoming the first Muslim chairman and secretary of MinDA, bringing timely representation of the Bangsamoro to the overall socioeconomic development of Mindanao.

He served the government in various capacities before he became a member of Duterte's cabinet. He was elected as vice mayor of Marawi City in 1972 and became acting mayor of Marawi City in 1974. He was likewise elected as an assemblyman in 1979 and sat as the interim head of the Regional Autonomous Government.

MinDA said, Alonto, the first Muslim to head the agency, "selflessly and relentlessly fought for Mindanao until the end, a true warrior for development and advocate of peace."

According to the Palace official, Alonto “devoted his professional career in contributing to the socio-economic transformation of Mindanao from a land of promise to a land of fulfillment.”

“The nation is grateful for his services and we are confident that his legacy would continue to inspire leaders, government workers, and people to advance the cause of peace and development in Mindanao,” Panelo said. With PNA

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION ATOZPRO IT SERVICES INC. Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of ATOZRO IT SERVICES INC. with the TIN of 009-593-401-000, shortening the term of its existence and thereby dissolving the said corporation as of May 1, 2019 a Balance Sheet showing that no creditors thereof will be affected by such dissolution, have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All persons having claims against the corporation are required to present the same at its principal office at U404 4th Floor Peninsula Court Bldg., 8735 Paseo De Roxas, Brgy. Bel Air, Makati City for immediate settlement.

This announcement will serve as a notice to all parties concerned of the legal dissolution of the said corporation.

Quezon City. Philippines. May 6, 2019 (SGD.) SHEELA SABIDO Corporate Secretary

(MS-MAY 11, 2019)

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION TRADEVISER PASIFIC INC. Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of TRADEVISER PASIFIC INC. with the TIN of 009-860-567-000, shortening the term of its existence and thereby dissolving the said corporation as of May 1, 2019 a Balance Sheet showing that no creditors thereof will be affected by such dissolution, have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All persons having claims against the corporation are required to present the same at its principal office at U-2404 # 25 SAN MIGUEL AVE. MEDICAL PLAZA ORTIGAS, ORTIGAS CENTER, SAN ANTONIO PASIG CITY for immediate settlement.

This announcement will serve as a notice to all parties concerned of the legal dissolution of the said corporation.

(SGD) JOSEPH T. NOCOM, MD, FPOA Chairperson Bids and Awards Committee

Quezon City. Philippines. May 6, 2019 (MS-MAY. 11, 2019)

(MS-MAY 11, 2019)

(SGD.) JOSEPHINE JAIN GREGORI Corporate Secretary

LIMAY, Bataan—The local government leadership here has branded as politicking a recent inspection conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which it said singled out this town’s “waste disposal problem.”

The DENR has issued a May 7 a cease and desist order to Limay Mayor Ver Roque on the operation of the town's “open dumpsite at Bgy. San Francisco de Asis,” just a day after a team of inspectors went to the area without official communication or coordination with local officials.

Limay Mayor Roque said he suspects the DENR’s move to be part of a political strategy to pin him down, owing to its “quaint swiftness,” its timing during the election campaign homestretch, and that “the order may have been already prepared even before the inspection was done.”

Roque pointed out that garbage disposal has been a lingering problem of the entire Bataan province, and not just of Limay.

“Waste disposal has been a problem of the entire province of Bataan, over which the provincial government, by itself, has been helpless and ineffective,” he said.

DOH grieves over shooting victims

THE Department of Health on Thursday night expressed grief and condolences to the families of the shooting victims at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH).

In a statement, the DOH confirmed that no other patients and NCMH staff were hurt nor involved in the incident.

“The hospital is in full operation and functioning normally,” the statement read.

The DOH did not name the persons involved and requested for the privacy of the family due to the sensitivities of the issue involving the patient.

According to police reports, the incident happened in one of the wards of the NCMH around 2:30 p.m.

A 27-year-old psychiatric patient was allegedly shot by his grandfather after giving a different answer to his question. PNA

Quezon mayor, wife face charges A MUNICIPAL mayor in Quezon province, along with her husband, is facing an administrative and criminal complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with her supposed lavish lifestyle.

In a seven-page complaint-affidavit, Norvell George Luna from Barangay Iba, Palsabangon, Pagbilao said incumbent Pagbilao Mayor Shierre Ann Portes Palicpic, and her husband, Municipal Administrator Ian Talusit Palicpic of violating Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service for “leading their lives excessively and arrogantly, and instead of upholding public interest, [they] espoused their personal interests.”

He claimed the Palicpic couple

had “travelled extensively—to both local and international destinations” from 2007 to 2017 from four to 28 days in 16 countries, including Europe, the United States of America and Asia, and that their lavish lifestyle “were further displayed during the grandeur celebrations of their and their relatives’ birthday.

“Also, they are fond of displaying their various collections of expensive bracelets, high-end rubber shoes, top-of-the-line toys, club membership photographs and luxurious activities,” the complaint read.

As of 2017, the municipal administrator has three “sole” proprietorships of businesses registered with the Department of Trade and Industry engaged in construction aggregates, trucking, heavy equipment, space rentals, car exchange and service centers, Luna alleged.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

A7

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Bandolis shines in upset-rocked PPS Dipolog Daniel Miranda displays his trophies.

Miranda earns place among elite drivers in TCR Asia Series DANIEL Miranda has now truly earned his place amongst the top drivers in the TCR Asia Series.

Coming from a successful debut in Malaysia last month, the Filipino driver repeated his breakthrough performance with yet another good showing last May 2 to 4 in tricky weather conditions at the Zhuhai International Circuit.

Unfortunately, the young 22-year-old was unable to convert his third row start into a podium in Race 1.

Miranda rocketed off the starting line and managed to pick up several places in the first sequence of corners. However, clutch issues ended his race after just one lap and put his hunt for the championship on hold.

Backed by Cebuana Lhuillier, Miranda would get another shot at a strong result in Race 2 on Saturday. He took a more cautious start this time as not to damage the clutch on his i30 N TCR and fought his way through the field from the back.

Light rain then began to fall on the circuit which caught out several more experienced drivers in the tricky conditions.

Miranda capitalized on the opportunity to move up several positions as he skillfully drove on slicks in the wet before the Safety Car was called out. After the restart, the Eurasia Motorsport driver carried one last attempt to get onto the podium and successfully took 3rd place overall and 1st of the Asian drivers.

“This is quite a feat for Daniel, Cebuana Lhuillier is very proud of what he has accomplished and we are also honored to witness such exceptional talent in his field.

His podium finish is indicative of his talent and grit to represent the Philippines in the international scene. We look forward to his succeeding races.” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.

With Daniel Miranda’s successive podiums, he is now 4th in the Overall Drivers’ Championship just six points behind the nearest European driver. He also leads the Asian Drivers’ standings by 22 points.

There’s now a short break until the TCR Asia Series resumes on June 1 and 2 at the Shanghai International Circuit.

UAAP volleyball finals at ABS-CBN S+A, iWant Sports

THE UAAP Volleyball Tournament takes it up a notch this Saturday when the Finals in both the Women’s and Men’s division go live on various ABSCBN platforms on television, cable, and digital featuring a pair of exciting games bannered by the most-popular volleybelles in the land.

Defending Men’s Volleyball champion National University Bulldogs stake their title against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws at 12 noon.

Meanwhile the top-seeded Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles take on the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses at 4 p.m. on ABS-CBN S+A, S+A HD, LIGA, LIGA HD, sports.abscbn.com, and iWant Sports. Highlights of the games will be available on ABSCBN Sports’ YouTube channel.

The Ateneo-UST Finals in the Women’s division was not expected early in the tournament but the ladies from both schools bucked the proverbial preseason rankings to finish first and second, respectively. However, the two storied programs took different paths on their way back to the Finals.

UST took the harder route to secure a twice-to-beat advantage prior to the Final Four, staring down the defending champs De La Salle University Lady Spikers, who finished with identical 10-4 win-loss records. They won the playoff securing the number 2 seed and outlasted the Lady Spikers behind sensational Eya Laure and captain Sisi Rondina in their Final Four match-up. The Golden Tigresses scored a five-set win over the erstwhile queens of UAAP volleyball, 25-19, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 15-10, to punch a ticket to their first Finals appearance in eight years.

Siblings Daniella and Lanz Uy rebounded from a double-bogey and twobogey mishaps in a six-hole stretch from No. 13 with four birdies in their last five holes, including three in row from No. 4 that shoved them past Rey Pagunsan and Aidric Chan at 141.

Strong finish nets Uys 2-shot lead in Pro-Am

L

AUREL, Batangas—Siblings Daniella and Lanz blazed home with three straight birdies and stormed past overnight leaders Rey Pagunsan and Aidric Chan with a 69 for a twostroke lead after two rounds of the Delimondo National Pro-Am at Taal Splendido Golf Club here yesterday.

The Uys bucked a bogey start on No. 7 with a stirring four-birdie binge linking both nines then rebounded from a doublebogey and two-bogey mishaps in a six-hole stretch from No. 13 with four birdies in their last five holes, including three in row from No. 4 that shoved them past Pagunsan and Chan at 141.

“We played good overall, our short game and putting clicked,” said Daniella, the former Junior World champion and now a sophomore on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.

In contrast, the veteran Pagunsan and reigning national junior champion Chan wobbled in their closing holes at the back, dropping three straight strokes from No. 12, marred by two three-putt miscues, although they put some semblance of a fightback with a final hole birdie on No. 15.

They wound up with a 73 and slipped to second at 143 after gallantly staving off their rivals’ charges with a one-under card after No. 11. But they bogeyed the par-3 12th and

dropped strokes on the next two to yield the lead to the hot-finishing Uy siblings.

“Unlike in the first round, I struggled with my putting,” rued Pagunsan, who accounted for all but one of their six birdies in a lead-grabbing 70 Thursday.

Art Arbole and Joel Yamyamin matched par 72 for the second straight day for a 144, staying in the hunt for the top P500,000 purse for the former and merchandises and gift packs for the latter in the P2.7 million event sponsored by Delimondo.

Omar Dungca and Carl Corpuz fought back with a 70 after a 76 but lay five strokes off the Uys at 146 heading to the final 18 holes of the alternate shot format event that also showcases the skills and talent of the country’s top and rising amateurs.

Lanz Uy more than proved his worth in her partnership with her elder sister, hitting a solid tee-shot on the difficult No. 8 to set up a birdie chance for Daniella. He also buried the putt for birdie

on the next then on No. 11.

The rest, however, would need solid finishes today to contend for the crown although no lead is safe at the rolling, hazard-laden layout with the dreaded wind expected to finally come into play.

Artemio Murakami and Japanese partner Takuya Kawamura, one of two Japanese amateurs competing in the third edition of the tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., hobbled with a 74 for a 147 in a tie with Joseph Suarez-Paqo Barro (74) and Michael BibatLouie Aguinaldo (72).

Jhonnel Ababa and Vince Floro charged back with a 71 to tie Enrico Gallardo and Leandro Bagtas, who made a second 74, at eighth, seven shots off the young Uy tandem.

Only the top 40 pairs from the starting field of 107 teams advanced to the final round event backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc. with 2017 champion Tonton Asistio and Judson Eustaquio bowing out of the title race with an 81 for a 153 for joint 24th with Jerson Balasabas-M. Cortez (77) and James Lam-Marianne Bustos (75).

GUIA Bandolis hacked out a pair of tough victories but still fell prey to the surge of the lesser lights who stole the spotlight in the PPS-PEPP Dipolog national age-group tennis tournament at the Mibang Tennis Club in Zamboanga del Norte recently.

The fourth-ranked Bandolis, 14, rebounded from a shutout loss in the second set to repulse Mae Gulagula, 6-1, 0-6, 10-6, and rule her age bracket. She then toppled Angel Repaja, 6-4, 6-4, in the 18-and-U finals to emerge the lone “double” winner in the upset-marred Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop.

But the Tubod, Lanao del Norte bet failed to match her three-title romp in Sindangan as Gulagula, from Dapitan, got back at her and pulled off a 7-5, 6-3 victory to snare the 16-U diadem in the event serving as part of the country’s biggest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala.

Three other reversals were posted in the boys’ side with unranked Bryan Antonio, also from Dapitan, topping the 18-U division with a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over top seed Ashton Villanueva and No. 4 Aldree Pan from Dumingag overpowering third seed Neo Maratas, 6-1, 6-3, to claim the 16-U title.

Local bet Mark Barros shocked top seed Andrei Tan, 2-6, 6-1, 10-5, to snatch the 12-U plum and share the MVP honors with Bandolis following a second place finish in the 14-U side. Maratas foiled Barros’ two-title bid with a 6-1, 6-3 romp.

“The future of Phl tennis is secured with the rise of these young players, especially in the countryside, who all aim to make it big someday and the PPSPEPP will continue to provide them the venue to polish and hone their skills and talent,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Dipolog’s young ace Pete Bandala, meanwhile, remained the prince in 10-unisex play, crushing doubles partner Rose Mesiona, 4-0, 4-0. The duo later teamed up to clinch the doubles crown with an 8-0 rout of Cielo Gonzales and Marcus Tan. Other doubles winners were Yvonne Cuevas-Repaja and Jefferson Mallones-Alritz Pan (18-U) and Elumba-Christine Gulagula and Ryan Elumbaring-Theo Montano (14-U).

Wellness brand Herbalife posts $1.2b global net sales in ‘19 Q1 LOS ANGELES—Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. (NYSE: HLF) reported net sales of $1.2 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.

The sales included growth in four of six regions—Asia Pacific, North America, EMEA and Mexico—and was approximately flat compared to first quarter 2018. Excluding China, net sales increased 6 percent compared to the first quarter 2018.

“In the first quarter of 2019, the momentum of our geographically diverse business continued with net sales growth in four of our six regions,” said Michael O. Johnson, chairman and CEO of Herbalife Nutrition. “We are confident that our strategies will drive volume growth in 2019.”

According to the report, the company’s volume points of 1.5 billion increased 6% compared to the prior year period1, the highest first quarter in Company history. Excluding China,

volume points increased 10% compared to the prior year period.

First quarter reported diluted EPS of $0.66 and adjusted2 earnings of $0.66 per adjusted3 diluted share, both of which were negatively impacted by expenses of approximately $0.7 million or $0.00 per diluted share and adjusted3 diluted share, respectively, related to the China Growth and Impact Investment Program.

In mid-April, the Chinese government concluded a 100-day review of the health products industry, which led to a significant decrease in company and service provider meetings during the first quarter. Due to this recent slowdown in China, the Company is revising full year 2019 volume point guidance to a range of 0.5% - 6.5% growth, net sales guidance to a range of (1.0%) - 5.0%, as well as reported and adjusted1,3 diluted EPS guidance to a range of $2.19-$2.64 and $2.50-$2.95, respectively.

CHESS WINNERS. Officers of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority are shown with the 10 winners of the 2nd CEZA Invitational Chess Open Tournament held at the Robinson’s Place on April 28. About 98 players from Manila, Isabela and different towns in Cagayan participated in the tournament, organized by the Cagayan Chess Development Club Inc. and duly recognized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. Top winners are Vince Angelo Medina (Champion, from Manila) Recarte Tiauson (1st Runner up from Metro Manila) Sherwin Tiu (2nd Runner Up from Manila) and Mark Gerald Cadiz 3rd Runner Up from Cauayan, Isabela). CEZA Photo

PH jins vie in UK World Championships

PH fighter Pauline Louise Lopez (left) deliverts a counter kick against her opponent in a recent match.

AFTER an impressive ASEAN tournament win, the Philippines targets bigger success when it competes in the 2019 World Taekwondo Championships on May 11-20 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Six male and four female jins will carry the SMART/MVP Sports Foundation colors in the prestigious event to be participated in by 94 other countries such as Korea, China, Spain, Iran, Turkey, Chinese Taipei and the United States.

The Filipino fighters are: Male—urt Brian Barbosa (-54kg), Dex Ian Chavez (-58kg),

Keno Anthony Mendoza (-63kg), Arven Alcantara (-68kg), Dave Cea (-74kg) and Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison (-80kg).

Female—Veronica Garces (46kg), Baby Jessica Canabal (-49kg), Rheza Aragon (-53kg) and Pauline Louise Lopez (-57kg).

The officials are Tem Igor Mella (head of team), Christian Al Dela Cruz and Carlos Jose Padilla V (coaches), Kim Hyoung (trainer) and Janneth Tenorio (photographer).

The Philippines has always been regarded among the top contenders in important inter-

national events like the world championship. The competition will also serve as preparation for the Filipinos’ participation in the Southeast Asian Games to be held here.

Only recently, the Filipinos bagged 95 medals, including 22 in poomsae (forms) in ruling the ASEAN championships sanctioned by the ASEAN Taekwondo Federation and hosted by the Philippines.

The Philippine team’s trip is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019

NBA boss suggests radical changes WASHINGTON, United States – Borrowing from European football, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday (Friday Manila time) his league should look at replacing the All-Star Game with an in-season knockout-style tournament and a shorter season schedule.

The 57-year-old sports supremo, who has spent more than five years running the $9 billion league, told The Economic Club of Washington the move could create new excitement and solve some headaches.

“In international soccer, they play for different cups throughout the year,” Silver said in wide-ranging comments about the NBA. “I’ve said to our teams, maybe we should shorten the number of games and play a tournament during the season.

“I’m only saying we have to look at other concepts.”

The NBA All-Star Game once offered greater national and league-wide exposure and a rare uniting of greats in an era before US Olympic NBA squads and communications that allow anyone to watch any team from anywhere.

But with teams and players wary of injuries in an exhibition, the game has evolved into a highlight show of dunks and shotmaking.

“If they and their teams don’t really want to play an exciting All-Star Game, we’ve got to come up with a new concept,” Silver said.

A knockout tournament could let the NBA sustain record television revenues with a reduced schedule and give teams a new prize to seek, even though stars might not get as much of a break.

The NBA has had an 82-game schedule since the 1967-68 campaign.

“As a league we may need to revisit the number of games we play,” Silver said. “Maybe that’s too many games.”

Silver also looks to Europe for models on US gambling, which is growing after the Supreme Court allowed states to legalize sports betting.

“They have much better controls than we do,” Silver said. “I think we’re better off with a (national) framework.

I think it’s better being transparent, regulated and controlled.”

Silver wants an “integrity fee” from businesses that will profit off NBA betting, considering it adds a new dimension to the challenge the league has of safeguarding the integrity of results. AFP

Alphaland hosts chess team meet THE 1st Ahedres Pilipinas Chess Team Tournament gets going on Sunday at the third floor Alphaland Southgate Mall, 2258 Chino Roces Avenue, near MRT Magallanes Station, Edsa, Makati City.

Ahedres Pilipinas Team bared on Friday the change in venue from the Dapitan Sports Complex, Instruccion Street, Sampaloc, Manila.

Due to the 2019 Election, Dapitan Sports Complex will not be able to accommodate the tournament on the day of the event. Comelec will be using the venue on May 12, 2019.

Dapitan Sports Complex is a government-property and the government reserves all the rights to use the space in any given situation. Organizers apologized for the inconvenience to participants and other interested parties.

The tournament is a seven round Swiss system, 25mins + 5sec delay time control format.

The team champion will earn P30,000 plus a trophy. The second placer will get P20,000, third P12,000, fourth P8,000 and fifth P5,000.

Category prizes P2,500 each is up for grabs for the Top High School Team, Top College Team, Top Women’s Team, Top Manila, Top Company and Top Government.

Registration Fee is P2,500 and Early Registration is P2,300. Sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines or more info: Call/Text Ms. Christy Lamiel Bernales 09453725248 for complete details.

Jimmy Butler (23) of the Philadelphia 76ers glides to the hoop against Kawhi Leonard (2) of the Toronto Raptors during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. AFP

Lady Eagles, Tigresses start UAAP showdown C

OACH Oliver Almadro has summed up what Ateneo can offer against University of Santo Tomas in their first-ever Finals meeting.

“We will give them a beautiful game.

Yun ang sa amin,” said Almadro.

The Lady Eagles hope to live up to the billing as heavy favorites when they face the Tigresses in the opener of the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball championship at 4 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ateneo has swept UST in their elimination round head-to-head this season and has won 14 consecutive matches between them in the last seven years.

But for Almadro, throw those away from the window, as the Tigresses will enter the championship oozing

Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum) 12 noon – NU vs FEU (Men Finals) 4 p.m. – UST vs Ateneo (Women Finals)

with confidence with a six-game winning streak.

“Alam naman natin sa umpisa pa lang yung firepower ng UST. Tapos they are well-rested, so yun ang advantage,” said Almadro, who is seeking to win his first title as Ateneo women’s coach after a successful run of three championships in the men’s side.

While the Tigresses needed only one game to unseat De La Salle in the throne, the Lady Eagles survived a pesky Far Eastern University in the other Final Four pairing to make a return trip to the finals.

Aside from the championship experience Ateneo, having gone through two grueling Final Four matches, is expected to put their experience to good use against UST, which is back in the title round after eight years.

“Yung mental toughness. Yung heart.

Yung will. Tumibay,” said Almadro after winning their hard-fought series against the Tamaraws.

Skipper Bea de Leon and fellow middle hitter Maddie Madayag hope to finish what they started. De Leon and Madayag were rookies when Ateneo won its second straight title in 2015.

Bulldogs beat Pirates in Milcu summer tilt THE National University Bulldogs took down the Lyceum Pirates, 72-55, in one of the opening games of the 2019 Milcu Sports Got Skills Basketball Summer tournament at the Trinity University of Asia in Quezon City.

Joshua Sinclair fired 23 points for the Bulldogs, who took the solo lead in the 25-years-old and under division.

The Lyceum Pirates endured their first loss after the Pirates started their pre-season campaign on a bright note by taking down the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 58-50.

Jamba Garing fired 14 points in leading the Pirates to their first triumph in the 25-years old and under category.

In the 19-under action, the San Sebastian Stags drew 24 points from Milo Janao in their 69-61 beating of the

University of Perpetual Help Altas.

The Letran Knights joined the Stags in the early lead when they got past University of Santo Tomas, 98-78, with CJ Saure knocking in 22 points.

In the 14-under side, Ray Ramirez unloaded 31 points for the San Beda Red Cubs, who walloped La Salle-Lipa, 80-53.

TJ Castillo shot 18 points for the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs in their 88-77 smashing of La Salle Greenhills.

Ramises Reyes unloaded 33 points for the Red Cubs in their 70-63 win over La SalleLipa in the 13-under side.

James starred with 16 points as La Salle-Lipa prevailed over Lourdes SchoolMandaluyong, 72-65, under the 12-under action.

Peter Atencio

REASON TO CHEER. Lovely cheerleaders of Kings XI

Punjab give their fans plenty of reason to cheer during the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. AFP

Sixers, Blazers force deciding Game Sevens in playoffs LOS ANGELES, United States—The Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers both forced game sevens in their NBA second round playoff series on Thursday with a pair of bounce-back wins to stave off elimination.

Jimmy Butler scored 25 points while Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid also had spirited performances as the 76ers survived to fight another day with a 112-101 win over the Toronto Raptors in game six.

Butler also had six rebounds and Embiid finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Sixers, who kept their season alive by squaring the best-ofseven Eastern Conference second round series at 3-3.

“I play to win,” Butler said. “Right now, this is what I have to do in order to give us a great chance at winning.”

Elsewhere, Damian Lillard scored 17 of his 32 points in the third quarter, and the Trail Blazers forced game seven in their series with Denver with a 119-108 win.

Denver went in front by as much as 10 points in the first half before getting blasted by the Trail Blazers in the second half.

CJ McCollum added 30 points, and Rodney Hood came off the bench to score a career playoff high 25 for Portland, who haven’t advanced to the NBA final four in 19 years.

Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 29 points and 12 rebounds, while Jamal Murray added 24 points and 10 rebounds.

Lillard put the Blazers ahead to stay with a three-pointer with 4:18 remaining in the third period.

Simmons rebounded to deliver 21 points after struggling mightily in game five with just seven points and five turnovers. His game six total was more than his combined points total of games five and four.

“It was amazing focus. Everybody was locked in,” Simmons said. “We knew what was at stake.”

Franchise cornerstone Embiid, who was listed as a probable starter due to a sore knee, also got back on track after making eight turnovers in game five.

“I knew I had to come in with high spirits,” Embiid said. “If I’ve got to play 45 minutes and push myself out there, that’s what I’ll do.” AFP

Fans recall Jaworski’s ‘never-say-die’ moment

By Peter Atencio

PBA and Ginebra legend Robert Jaworski (left) talks to Barangay Ginebra cagers Mark Caguioa (center) and Scottie Thompson during Thursday’s jersey launch at the Novotel in Cubao.

RETIRED cager Robert Jaworski was at first in a state of disbelief.

This was after being told that fans still remember Ginebra San Miguel’s semifinal game in the Philippine Basketball Association Reinforced Conference against Northern Cement.

That was back in 1985 when the Gin Kings won over the NCC, 99-96.

“It seems unbelievable. But we’re happy the way things have shaped up. I’m very happy for the ‘never-saydie spirit,’ which is the key to everything. And it’s for something good,” said Jaworski, now 73, after he was honored with four other Ginebra

players last Thursday.

Jaworski, along with Scottie Thompson, Justine Brownlee, Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand, were feted during the launch of limited edition jerseys that the team will wear during the 2019 PBA Commissioners Cup. It will be recalled that back in October 22, 1985, and during a game against NCC, Jaworski was elbowed on the face by NCC cager Jeff Moore late in the second quarter.

Jaworski had to be brought to nearby Medical City’s emergency room to get stitches on his upper lip.

During the third quarter, and with NCC leading, Jaworski re-

turned to the bench.

Jaworski then reentered the court and sparked the team to a big rally, leading the Gins to a come-from-behind victory against NCC, who were ahead by 15 points going into the final seven minutes of the game.

From then on, Jaworski and Ginebra were remembered for their neversay-die attitude.

“I left my teammates who were doing everything to win. And yes, I did have a bad cut. But all the while, I was thinking, how can I get back?

And you know, you have to try your best. But, obviously towards the end, after you’ve tried your best, you got to also pray,” added Jaworski.

IN BRIEF

LT Group’s net profit jumps 22% to P4.42b LT GROUP Inc. of airline and tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan said net income in the first quarter of the year jumped 22 percent to P4.42 billion from P3.63 billion year-on-year.

LT Group said in a disclosure to the stock exchange that banking unit Philippine National Bank contributed P1.08 billion or 24 percent of total attributable income, while the tobacco business accounted for P2.84 billion, or 64 percent of total.

LT Group’s liquor unit Tanduay Distillers Inc. added P229 million, while property arm Eton Properties Philippines, Inc. and beverage subsidiary Asia Brewery Inc. accounted for P148 million and P82 million, respectively.

The company’s 30.9-percent stake in Victorias Milling Company Inc. contributed P75 million to the total net income.

PNB’s net income reached P1.95 billion in the first quarter, up 30 percent, as loans and receivables rose 17 percent while net interest margin grew slightly lower at three percent.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

Taiwan’s New Kinpo bares expansion bid TAIWANESE smartphone parts and consumer electronics maker New Kinpo Group has sought the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Board of Investments to look for a new lot where it can expand its manufacturing operations in Lipa, Batangas.

New Kinpo chief executive officer Simon Shen informed Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo early this month about the company’s plan to establish a new 24,000-square meter facility and develop a manufacturing complex in First Philippine Industrial Park Inc. in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

The Trade Department said it would help the company look for a new lot for the expansion project and create linkages so the company can successfully market its robotics products in the Philippines.

The expansion will create job opportunities for as much as 18,000 Filipino employees in two to three years.

Shen said the expansion was part of a plan to position the Philippines as the group’s hub in Southeast Asia.

Othel C. Campos

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019

B1

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HIGHEST AWARD. Villar Group chairman and former Senate President Manuel Villar is conferred the ‘Tanglaw ng Bayan’ award

by Polytechnic University of the Philippines during its commencement exercises at the Philippine International Convention Center, Manila. The award is the highest recognition bestowed by the university on individuals who have outstanding achievements and significant contributions to society. With Villar are PUP President Emanuel De Guzman and the university’s key officials.

PH eurobond offering attracts huge demand T

By Julito G. Rada

HE Philippines successfully returned to the international capital markets after investors swarmed on the offering of 750 million euros of eight-year global bonds, the Bureau of the Treasury said Friday.

The eurobonds are expected to receive an investment grade or “Baa2” from global debt watchers Moody’s Investors Service, “BBB+” by Standard & Poor’s, and “BBB” by Fitch Ratings.

The notes are expected to settle on May 17, 2019.

National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said the Philippines “garnered outstanding support from high-quality accounts with a large order book, allowing us to increase our base offering size from EUR500 million to EUR750 million.”

“The successful transaction allowed us to diversify our funding program to support productive spending for infra-

structure and social services,” she said.

She said the issuance marked the country’s return to the European capital markets after more than a decade.

“The overwhelming reception from the market allowed the pricing for the newly issued global bonds to tighten at EUR Midswaps +70 bps after being revised twice from an initial pricing guidance of EUR Midswaps+90-100 bps area,” she said.

By geographical allocation, 24 percent of the bonds were sold to Germany, 15 percent to Italy, 10 percent to the UK, 26 percent to the rest of Europe, 9 percent to the US, 6 percent to the Philippines, 5 percent to the rest of Asia and the balance to other countries.

In terms of investor type, 59 percent went to fund managers, 24 percent to banks and corporates, 11 percent to insurance, pension funds and official institutions, and the remaining 6 percent to other types of investors.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the successful transaction “is a testament to the international investor community’s vote of confidence in the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals and sustained high growth prospects despite global financial headwinds.”

Dominguez said following the successful float of bonds in China and Japan, the government had now issued global bonds in Europe as part of its efforts to diversify funding sources for its aggressive investments in infrastructure and human capital development.

Proceeds of the issuance will be used for the general government purposes, including budgetary support.

Deutsche Bank and UBS acted as joint global coordinators, while BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse, and Standard Chartered Bank acted as joint book runners for the transaction.

Officials earlier said the sale of the euro-denominated bonds came at a perfect time after S&P Global Ratings upgraded the country’s credit rating to “BBB+” from “BBB” with a “stable” outlook earlier this week.

De Leon said the upgrade by S&P was a “recognition of our sound policies on liability management.”

“We have kept our debt in check— even as we invest more on infrastructure and social services. We are committed to fiscal discipline, and this makes the Philippines a truly creditworthy sovereign in the eyes of the international financial community,” she said.

First Gen’s profit climbed by 28% to $77m in 3 months

By Alena Mae S. Flores

FIRST Gen Corp., a Lopez Group company, reported a net income of $77 million (P4 billion) in the first quarter, up 28 percent from $60 million (P3 billion) year-on-year.

First Gen said net income attributable to equity holders in the first quarter reached $81 million (P4.2 billion), up 104 percent from $40 million (P2 billion) in the same period last year, due to the higher electricity sales of its natural gas, geothermal and hydro platforms, foreign exchange gains and lower deferred income taxes.

“First Gen’s conscious choice to focus on clean, low carbon and renewable energy is paying off as the long term prospects of our platform is looking brighter.

Our impressive first quarter results have set the tone for the rest of the year driven by the reliable performance of our plants across our clean energy, low carbon platform,” said First Gen president and chief operating officer Francis Giles Puno.

First Gen’s power generation portfolio includes all clean energy sources, namely hydro, solar, wind and geothermal.

“We expect natural gas and hydro to continue to deliver stable earnings, while geothermal should continue to outperform as it benefits from the full recovery of the Leyte assets and realizes the effects of its efficiency, resiliency, and cost-saving initiatives,” said Puno.

The company’s recurring earnings from its geothermal, wind, and solar platform surged to $26 million (P1.4 billion) in the first three months from $14 million (P700 million) in 2018 as the Unified Leyte and Tongonan geothermal plants normalized their operations and delivered higher earnings after recovering from the damage in the Leyte site caused by Typhoon Urduja in December 2017.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Ayala raised income to P8b in first quarter

JG Summit investing in start-up companies CONGLOMERATE JG Summit Holdings Inc. is earmarking an additional $50 million to invest in more startups within Southeast Asia under newly-formed JG Digital Equity Ventures, the group’s next-generation digital business and venture investment arm.

JG Summit said in a statement Friday it aimed to build its next-generation digital business through JG DEV, which would develop digital ventures, invest in emerging technologies and harness promising talents across the region.

“Digital is a key pillar to JG’s future.

There is no shortage of ideas in the digital space, so we must focus on a few big bets that generate the most value,” said JG Summit Holdings chief executive Lance Gokongwei.

JG DEV will focus on industries that intersect with the conglomerate’s ecosystem, especially in data, financial services, consumer, new media, logistics and digital health sectors.

It will invest in startups that will augment or disrupt its core businesses.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

PLDT SUPPORT. Leading telecoms and digital services provider PLDT Inc., led by chairman Manuel Pangilinan (fifth from left), formalizes its full support to the PPCRV (Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting) in the upcoming 2019 mid-term elections.

With him are (from left) PLDT assistant vie president Joy Hilao, PPCRV vice chairman Johnny Cardenas, PLDT vice president and head of Alpha Vic Tria, PPCRV chairperson emeritus Ambassador Henrietta de Villa, PPCRV national chairperson Myla Villanueva, PLDT senior VP and head of Enterprise Jovy Hernandez, PPCRV trustee Jocot de Dios, PPCRV treasurer Theresa Curia and PPCRV trustee Arwin Serrano.

Foreign direct investments in February up 20% to $746m NET inflow of foreign direct investments in February rose 20.2 percent to $746 million from $621 million posted in the same period last year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

“Investment inflows continued as investors remain confident in the Philippine economy on the back of strong economic growth prospects and sound macroeconomic fundamentals,” the central bank said.

Net equity capital investments contributed largely to the increase in FDI net inflows during the period, expanding 142 percent to $233 million from $96 million in February 2018.

“This was due to the 126.3-percent increase in equity capital placements to US$258 million that were sourced mainly from Japan, China, the Unit-

ed States, Singapore, and Switzerland,” it said.

Equity capital investments for the period were channeled primarily to transportation and storage, financial and insurance, manufacturing, real estate, and professional, scientific and technical industries.

Reinvestment of earnings grew 13.7 percent to $79 million from $69 million in the same month a year ago. Non-residents’ placements in debt instruments issued by local affiliates (inter-company borrowings) recorded lower net inflows of $435 million from $455 million in February 2018.

FDI net inflows amounted to $1.4 billion in the first two months of 2019, lower by 15.7 percent from $1.6 billion on year.

“The decrease in FDI net inflows

during the period was due mainly to the 67.1-percent decline in non-residents’ net equity capital investments as placements decreased by 31.5 percent, while withdrawals grew by 236.5 percent,” the Bangko Sentral said.

Equity capital placements during the period came mostly from Japan, China, South Korea, Mauritius and the United States.

Equity capital infusions were mainly invested in financial and insurance, transportation and storage, real estate, administrative and support service and manufacturing industries.

Meanwhile, net placements in debt instruments increased 12.9 percent to $1 billion from $896 million in the first two months of 2018.

Julito G. Rada

AYALA Corp. registered a net income of ₱8 billion in the first quarter of the year, up five percent year-on-year, boosted by strong earnings from the core real estate, banking and telecommunications businesses.

Ayala said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the first-quarter performance was a result of the healthy equity earnings contribution from business units, which rose seven percent to ₱9.9 billion.

Equity earnings contributions of Globe Telecom Inc., Ayala Land Inc. and Bank of the Philippine Islands increased 44 percent, 15 percent and five percent, respectively.

The first-quarter performance was also lifted by the P1-billion, one time gain from the merger of education unit with the Yuchengco Group.

“Our first-quarter results show the advantages of a diversified portfolio. The strong performance of Ayala Land, Globe and BPI offset the challenges from Manila Water’s water supply issues and the market conditions facing AC Industrials,” said Ayala president and chief operating officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

“In addition, capital generated from the closing of the transactions in AC Education and AC Energy provide a boost for funding new investments and reducing debt at the parent level,” he added.

Ayala said it would receive gross proceeds of $573 million from the partial sale of AC Energy’s thermal assets to Aboitiz Power in the second quarter following the completion of the transaction on May 2.

The transaction involved the acquisition of a 49-percent voting stake and 60-percent economic stake by Aboitiz Power Inc. in AA Thermal, AC Energy’s thermal platform in the Philippines.

AA Thermal consists of AC Energy’s limited partnership interests in GNPower Mariveles and GNPower Dinginin, which is currently under construction.

The completion of the transaction is expected to help the conglomerate achieve a P50-billion net income this year, one year ahead of target.

San Miguel buys Holcim to boost cement portfolio DIVERSIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp. is boosting its cement portfolio with the acquisition of an 87.5-percent stake in Holcim Philippines Inc., the local unit of Swtizerlandbased cement giant LafargeHolcim Ltd. San Miguel said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday unit First Stronghold Cement Industries would acquire 5.53 billion common shares in HPI held by Holderfin B.V., Union Cement Holdings Corp. and Cemco Holdings, Inc., the major shareholders of LafargeHolcim.

San Miguel said HPI had an enterprise value of $2.15 billion.

“The acquisition of HPI will increase the foothold of the San Miguel Group in the cement business, and will provide the opportunity to implement its plan to expand its cement business nationwide,” the conglomerate said.

San Miguel through unit San Miguel Northern Cement is building a two-million-metric -ton cement plant in Pangasinan province.

San Miguel president Ramon Ang also owns Eagle Cement Corp., which operates a cement plant in Bulacan with total capacity of 7.1 million MT. HPI currently operates four integrated cement plants and one grinding plant with a combined annual capacity of 10 million MT. It is embarking on a $300-million expansion plan to increase capacity by 30 percent to 13 million metric tons by 2020.

Analysts said the acquisition was a step in the right direction amid the aggressive spending on big-ticket infrastructure projects by the Duterte administration, including airports, tollroads and rail networks.

The conglomerate has several ongoing infrastructure projects, including South Luzon Expressway Toll Road 4, Skyway Stage 3, MRT-7 and stage 2 of the Bulacan Bulk Water.

Jenniffer B. Austria

B2

Business

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks slip; Holcim, Cemex climb T HE stock market fell slightly Friday in cautious trading, with investors digesting the latest policy adjustment of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the weak first-quarter GDP numbers.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 13.42 points, or 0.2 percent, to 7,742.20 on a value turnover of P7.6 billion. Losers beat gainers, 101 to 78, with 64 issues unchanged.

The Monetary Board, the policymaking body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, on Thursday reduced the overnight borrowing rate by 25 basis points to 4.5 percent, the first time in more than six years, after inflation rate

eased to the target range and economic growth decelerated to a four-year low.

The board made the adjustment hours after the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the growth in the gross domestic product decelerated to a four-year low of 5.6 percent in the first quarter from 6.5 percent a year ago, weighed down by the delayed approval of the 2019 government budget.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. declined 5.1 percent to P48.60, while PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, lost 3.9 percent to P1,240.

Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. jumped 11.3 percent to P2.65, while Holcim Philippines Inc. advanced 6.1 percent to P15.30, after San Miguel Corp. acquired an 87.5-percent stake in the local unit of Switzerland-based cement giant Lafarge Holcim.

Shanghai, meanwhile, led gains across most Asian and European markets Friday

at the end of a torrid week for equities, with investors keeping a nervous eye on China-US trade talks after Washington more than doubled tariffs on $200 billion of imports.

Shanghai, which lost more than seven percent from Monday to Thursday, ended up 3.1 percent, while Hong Kong piled on one percent in the afternoon.

Sydney and Singapore each added 0.3 percent, while Seoul was up a similar amount as investors brushed off news that North Korea had tested a long-range weapon, which is likely to raise tensions after the breakdown of de-nuclearization talks with the United States. Mumbai added 0.2 percent.

But Tokyo finished down 0.3 percent, while Wellington, Taipei, Jakarta and Bangkok also fell.

Equities started the day on a high as dealers took heart from positive

comments from Donald Trump on the prospects for a deal but the region turned negative as the threatened levies kicked in and China vowed to hit back, saying it “deeply” regretted the US move.

However, Shanghai and Hong Kong bounced back on hopes the economic superpowers will be able to reach a deal to avert a trade war that most observers warn could shatter global growth and batter markets.

The tariffs came in after the first day of high-stakes negotiations in Washington between Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

After a week in which trading floors have been a sea of red, regional equities were given a lift by Trump saying he had received a “beautiful letter” from China’s Xi Jinping and that it was “possible” to get a deal. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58 510 84.75 1,526,140 2.16 46,000 135.8 1,489,030 1.34 12,000 27.35 65,000 18.92 100,200 11.24 349,800 4.69 65,000 0.55 1,000 1.35 12,000 0.485 50,000 72.5 1,892,260 0.89 216,000 53.7 129,040 180 640 110.4 30 58.5 2,730 27 217,500 171.9 365,650 1,795 10 59.9 14,970 1.12 204,000

29,587 126,456,263.50 99,420 201,088,411 16,020 1,778,695 1,895,784 3,941,576 294,070 550 16,600 24,250 137,435,620.50 192,520 6,975,507 115,573 3,311 159,655 5,869,645 62,521,735 17,975 896,684 228,480

-580 -28,352,867 -32,834,615 -604,440 1,892,000 -441,202 550 -86,239,641 -8,910 -166,088.50 -111,973 -852,645 -33,088,061 -802,639 -

34.55 15.2 0.76 1.38 0.242 2.45 15 26.4 14.5 1.89 5.35 5.5 10.5 15.8 9.1 7.51 20.3 76.6 35.5 2.35 14.7 9.9 1.76 302 45 3.92 3.25 9.21 21.5 13.76 21.95 371.2 0.19 5.8 1.17 4.4 5.93 9.48 1.77 11.92 43.5 4.8 4.8 1.61 2 1.22 13 112 6.7 0.128 0.91 158.1 2.5 1.2 0.99

INDUSTRIAL 35.2 1,800,100 15.6 226,700 0.77 957,000 1.39 281,000 0.25 1,260,000 2.65 78,346,000 15.02 3,471,400 26.5 93,000 15.92 13,400 1.9 326,000 5.35 143,500 5.5 4,400 10.76 855,100 15.98 3,123,900 9.1 115,100 7.52 7,143,000 20.75 3,283,300 77 54,520 37.5 697,500 2.41 8,259,000 15.3 50,859,500 10.1 1,427,400 1.78 31,000 302.8 431,890 50 510 3.92 1,000 3.49 14,000 9.21 900 21.55 2,360,900 14 2,012,600 22 2,321,800 371.2 171,460 0.19 160,000 5.8 30,500 1.2 5,910,000 4.48 128,000 5.99 2,535,600 9.48 9,500 1.97 76,927,000 12.1 135,600 43.75 371,000 4.85 61,000 4.8 7,000 1.75 108,000 2.02 94,000 1.25 113,000 13.34 433,000 112 333,040 6.8 224,300 0.128 230,000 0.93 326,000 160 1,523,100 2.57 188,000 1.27 6,233,000 1.02 6,301,000

63,480,925(25 3,524,492 731,950 387,940 310,590 200,330,100 52,152,944 2,520,780 195,652 617,140 768,915 24,240 9,054,928 49,926,070 1,047,410 53,714,955 67,781,930 4,191,312 25,827,230 19,846,550 776,640,028 14,372,409 5 54,950 130,750,970 23,000 3,920 46,080 8,289 50,917,825 28,347,302 51,079,315 63,889,908 30,400 178,822 7,042,600 566,350 15,164,544 90,060 147,987,000 1,629,092 16,246,945 294,240 33,600 176,960 190,640 140,910 5,788,628 37,657,141 1,520,902 29,500 305,170 243,713,427 472,220 7,695,910 6,452,260

,244,579.9996) 1,050,654 42,508,810 -509,482 -270,000 29,000 -2,240 -5,045,538 9,473,870 -83,720 -24,402,122 -12,867,950 -2,142,809 2,968,000 1,751,950 34,532,188 ,203,435.0003 -53,830,356 -8,909,245 -6,581,872 46,704,060 -38,354,166 2,425,120 -2,038,690 -1,682,860 -1,388,715 -231,000 202,134 -15,119,261 79,560 7,377,920 125,000 -197,920 19,420

0.62 48.6 13.42 0.74 6.5 15.1 1.32 1.35 887.5 7 10.32 13.8 0.25 845 6.17 60.9 0.51 4.42 16.32 0.55 4.23 0.038 1.15 3 186.8 2.39 917 0.8 1.35 430 269.8 0.234 0.335

HOLDING FIRMS 0.65 16,584,000 48.6 3,521,790 13.6 12,240,300 0.76 551,000 6.5 78,300 15.1 98,100 1.33 3,277,000 1.36 584,000 890 506,040 7.11 574,200 10.38 3,440,800 13.8 151,300 0.28 160,000 850 313,820 6.17 4,700 61.5 2,783,210 0.51 6,000 4.42 408,000 16.92 690,300 0.55 177,000 4.29 9,973,000 0.039 10,000,000 1.15 5,000 3.04 1,145,000 190 294,730 2.39 7,000 925 282,970 0.8 563,000 1.35 53,000 430 100 274.8 2,330 0.238 600,000 0.345 6,230,000

10,576,790 176,389,250.50 167,062,378 411,000 508,950 1,508,764 4,365,580 790,900 451,117,485 4,094,884 35,908,396 2,106,400 43,000 267,088,560 28,999 171,118,124.5 ( 3,250 1,830,720 11,540,212 97,350 42,538,000 389,400 5,750 3,487,470 55,655,564 16,730 261,713,110 459,030 71,550 43,080 639,106 141,320 2,131,250

-63,630 -67,261,718 -81,962,982 32,500 -126,320 136,000 25,232,035 -1,318,640 -16,706,166 153,422 -21,490,270 48,301,566.5) -989,210 -879,300 97,350 -24,659,290 811,030 991,343 -134,555,665 -350,394 357,650

3,028,408 357,480 1,128 768,050 341,430 555,660,410 73,530 4,589,840 53,894 7,495,330 7,800 169,310 597,800 3,750 5,519,490 58,183,625 1,219,900 82,500 13,543,200 1,680,670 148,051,089 4,510,950 433,950 8,259,020

-476,920 28,319,620 -7,110 -36,040 1,236,950 -11,749,045 -1,822,630 5,653,379 215,900 -1,018,550

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG FIRST ABACUS IREMIT MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK VANTAGE

58.05 82.35 2.16 134.2 1.35 27.5 18.92 11.5 4.54 0.55 1.39 0.485 72.7 0.9 54.15 181.5 110.3 58.5 27 170.1 1,800 59.8 1.12

58.05 84.75 2.19 136 1.35 27.5 18.92 11.5 4.7 0.55 1.39 0.485 73.2 0.9 54.8 181.5 110.4 58.75 27.25 173.6 1,800 60 1.12

58 82.2 2.16 133 1.32 27.3 18.92 11.2 4.49 0.55 1.35 0.485 72.5 0.89 53.7 180 110.3 58 26.85 169 1,795 59.8 1.12

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

34.55 15.6 0.79 1.38 0.255 2.48 15.02 27 14.6 1.89 5.45 5.6 10.78 15.98 9.1 7.56 20.8 76.6 35.5 2.42 15.02 10.12 1.76 302 45 3.92 3.28 9.21 21.55 14.8 21.95 373.2 0.19 5.95 1.23 4.4 6.01 9.48 1.77 11.96 44.6 4.82 4.8 1.61 2.05 1.26 13.68 114 6.8 0.134 0.95 159.5 2.52 1.23 1.07

35.5 15.64 0.79 1.39 0.255 2.65 15.38 28 15.96 1.9 5.45 5.6 10.78 16.04 9.1 7.56 20.9 77.2 38 2.45 16 10.16 1.78 305 50 3.92 3.49 9.21 22.15 14.8 22.3 379.8 0.19 6 1.23 4.5 6.02 9.48 2.03 12.1 44.65 5.15 4.8 1.75 2.05 1.27 13.7 115 6.85 0.134 0.97 162.8 2.59 1.27 1.09

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.66 51 13.62 0.78 6.5 16.2 1.34 1.36 889 7.26 10.52 14.5 0.275 845 6.17 60.9 0.59 4.52 16.72 0.55 4.23 0.039 1.15 3.04 192.5 2.39 931.5 0.85 1.35 430 274 0.24 0.345

0.66 51.2 13.96 0.78 6.5 16.2 1.35 1.36 897 7.4 10.6 14.5 0.28 865 6.17 62 0.59 4.52 16.92 0.55 4.3 0.039 1.15 3.08 192.5 2.39 955 0.85 1.35 433 275 0.24 0.35

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV

14.42 0.73 11.28 2.26 0.77 47 2.38 4.64 6.3 0.52 0.78 0.89 0.234 0.375 10.88 25.5 0.48 0.125 1.55 1.32 5.41 0.34 0.48 1.75

14.46 0.75 11.28 2.26 0.78 47.5 2.4 4.73 6.4 0.54 0.78 0.89 0.238 0.375 11 26.35 0.48 0.125 1.59 1.35 5.58 0.34 0.485 1.86

14.22 0.73 11.28 2.14 0.76 46.1 2.35 4.62 6.3 0.52 0.78 0.85 0.232 0.375 10.72 23.2 0.475 0.125 1.55 1.32 5.33 0.33 0.48 1.74

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

0.46 2.78 49.45 23.15 1.96 3 38.6 1.85 6.74 0.75 7.1

0.46 2.78 49.45 23.8 1.97 3 39.65 1.92 6.76 0.75 7.21

0.45 2.65 49.45 22.95 1.94 2.95 38.5 1.85 6.61 0.75 7.07

0.45 2.75 49.45 23.8 1.94 3 38.5 1.91 6.7 0.75 7.21

350,000 230,000 200 1,479,300 493,000 61,000 11,533,800 1,671,000 269,800 1,000 2,821,900

159,750 625,360 9,890 34,688,610 962,760 180,340 445,839,385 3,177,680 1,799,917 750 20,217,272

-10,593,280 3,880 -183,208,100 -8,429,457

2GO GROUP ABS CBN APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PH RESORTS GRP PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

12.24 19.2 0.4 0.042 15.9 2.6 11.18 0.067 81 7.05 5.83 6.4 10.6 2,000 5.2 400 10.04 2.64 133.6 10.98 6.88 0.123 5.68 3.85 0.79 20.5 0.55 5.32 2.87 1.67 1.66 2.06 3.24 10 4.1 114 2.85 1,288 0.69 0.9 44.75 72.35 9.23 3.23 0.65 0.325 5.63 0.71 15.82

12.24 19.2 0.4 0.045 16.08 2.64 11.32 0.068 83.75 7.05 5.95 6.87 11 2,012 5.2 409.8 10.04 2.64 134.1 11 6.88 0.127 5.84 3.95 0.79 21 0.55 5.44 2.89 1.67 1.66 2.07 3.36 10.2 4.38 115 2.85 1,288 0.69 0.92 44.75 73.5 9.54 3.31 0.67 0.33 5.63 0.71 16.4

12 19 0.4 0.042 15.9 2.54 10.6 0.066 81 7.04 5.83 6.38 10.5 1,975 5.14 395.8 10.04 2.48 129.9 10.98 6.85 0.123 5.66 3.85 0.75 19.9 0.53 5.25 2.72 1.65 1.64 2 3.2 10 4.08 110 2.8 1,240 0.67 0.89 44 72.25 9.17 3.14 0.65 0.32 5.63 0.69 15.8

SERVICES 12 19.02 0.4 0.045 16.08 2.55 10.9 0.067 83 7.04 5.88 6.46 10.5 1,995 5.2 409.8 10.04 2.49 133 11 6.85 0.126 5.82 3.91 0.79 19.9 0.54 5.38 2.79 1.66 1.64 2.07 3.2 10 4.38 113 2.82 1,240 0.67 0.9 44.35 72.5 9.5 3.2 0.65 0.325 5.63 0.7 16.2

42,400 43,500 60,000 8,800,000 17,300 302,000 16,087,200 26,030,000 101,930 1,200 1,077,600 103,800 76,400 90,365 164,800 2,020 500 3,335,000 1,754,930 1,800 10,500 720,000 5,442,600 1,069,000 135,000 984,300 1,260,000 1,514,100 6,953,000 87,000 2,000 2,376,000 169,000 3,600 9,000 960 799,000 167,310 7,141,000 19,208,000 425,900 493,440 245,300 25,966,000 723,000 6,050,000 482,100 490,000 1,459,900

510,626 829,574 24,000 374,300 276,890 780,200 176,095,968 1,728,700 8,388,815.50 8,455 6,357,170 678,086 810,980 180,310,380 851,315 825,380 5,020 8,431,400 230,861,006 19,780 72,110 88,630 31,530,856 4,166,000 103,120 19,719,238 681,460 8,084,091 19,332,850 144,310 3,300 4,811,760 553,630 36,160 37,520 108,550 2,253,510 212,543,815 4,829,730 17,353,200 18,868,330 35,780,866(30 2,299,947 83,850,710 475,180 1,968,700 2,714,223 340,980 23,576,760

-62,807,892 1,365,870 -96,439 -368,648 68,874,585 25,000 -27,339,529 587,986 542,850 768,239 331,980.00 -32,800 283,680 64,160 40,398,885 -124,480 -1,813,880 -754,585 ,870,194.9996) 2,769,950 -110,480 422,500 -2,252,000 -2,553,862

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET A CENTURY PEAK DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A MANILA MINING B MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PHINMA PETRO PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON

0.002 1.24 2.81 11.1 1.39 2.82 7.72 1.63 0.241 0.115 0.0079 1.02 2.35 1 0.89 0.011 0.011 0.011 3.61 3.08 7.8 22.5 0.0068

0.002 1.26 2.81 12.1 1.39 2.85 7.91 1.63 0.243 0.115 0.0079 1.05 2.37 1 0.89 0.012 0.012 0.011 3.81 3.14 7.9 22.5 0.0068

0.0018 1.23 2.79 11.1 1.3 2.75 7.72 1.6 0.232 0.115 0.0079 1.02 2.3 0.97 0.88 0.011 0.011 0.011 3.61 3.05 7.74 21.5 0.0068

MINING & OIL 0.0018 50,000,000 1.24 807,000 2.79 61,000 12.1 2,500 1.3 6,000 2.85 422,000 7.87 1,200 1.63 50,214,000 0.24 510,000 0.115 100,000 0.0079 2,000,000 1.05 127,000 2.3 2,039,000 1 24,000 0.89 168,000 0.012 30,900,000 0.012 1,800,000 0.011 13,300,000 3.7 405,000 3.06 654,000 7.8 690,800 21.7 3,096,600 0.0068 7,000,000

91,200 1,001,580 170,210 28,250 8,250 1,183,220 9,298 81,110,100 119,560 11,500 15,800 129,570 4,744,150 23,560 149,380 354,900 19,900 146,300 1,524,250 2,007,100 5,383,442 67,282,860 47,600

-397,000 934,090 -240,690 5,500 -30,740 -609,960 27,797,390 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 DD PREF GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 2A SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

18.62 495 98 494 5.24 917 955 91 0.99 975 975 75 76.1 71.5 73.75 73.7 72.75 73.5

18.62 498 98 494 5.3 917 955 97.5 0.99 975 975 75.5 76.1 71.5 73.75 73.7 73.7 73.5

18.62 495 98 494 5.02 917 955 91 0.98 975 975 74.85 76.1 71.2 73.7 73.7 72.75 73.5

PREFERRED 18.62 4,000 498 3,390 98 230 494 1,020 5.02 40,200 917 130 955 1,680 97.5 40 0.98 365,000 975 60 975 6,710 75.5 370 76.1 460 71.5 17,700 73.75 24,600 73.7 5,360 73.7 71,800 73.5 6,800

74,480 1,682,176 22,540 503,880 212,007 119,210 1,604,400 3,835 357,750 58,500 6,542,250 27,705.50 35,006 1,265,340 1,814,112.50 395,032 5,229,214.50 499,800

-74,480 -503,880 -

LR WARRANT

1.88

1.95

1.88

WARRANTS 1.95 79,000

151,540

-

5,441,280 15,847,960

1,054,380 -1,686,400

828,850

2,326

132,491 40,000 20,000

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 14.22 0.75 11.28 2.22 0.77 47 2.38 4.69 6.4 0.53 0.78 0.85 0.238 0.375 10.74 23.65 0.475 0.125 1.56 1.34 5.33 0.34 0.485 1.84

210,900 488,000 100 355,000 444,000 11,832,700 31,000 980,000 8,500 14,141,000 10,000 199,000 2,560,000 10,000 509,100 2,391,800 2,560,000 660,000 8,603,000 1,259,000 27,318,000 13,440,000 900,000 4,547,000

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.95 1.05

5.05 1.07

4.84 1

FIRST METRO ETF

117.1

117.1

115.8

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.1 10 1

10.1 10 1

10 10 1

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,535,837

INDUSTRIAL

272,525,325

HOLDING FIRMS

80,495,369

PROPERTY

112,410,893

SERVICES

160,203,184

MINING & OIL

164,381,706

GRAND TOTAL

817,379,303

4.9 1

SME

1,109,000 15,705,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116 7,130 10 10 1

DDS

13,160 4,000 20,000

VALUE 1,738.83 (up) 20.27 847,079,661.93 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,528.32 (up) 23.92 2,182,692,241.48 HOLDING FIRMS 7,345.91 (down) 68.36 1,735,816,227.82 PROPERTY 4,118.00 (down) 0.74 1,595.57 (down) 10.75 1,322,372,199.17 SERVICES MINING & OIL 7,325.28 (down) 140.80 1,275,495,127.13 PSEI 7,742.20 (down) 13.42 165,577,641,1061 All Shares Index 4,791.26 (down) 16.59 7,551,172,115.66 Gainers: 78; Losers: 101; Unchanged: 64; Total: 243

Puregold raised profit to P1.51b in first quarter

By Jenniffer B. Austria PUREGOLD Price Club Inc., the country’s second largest grocery chain owned by businessman Lucio Co, recorded a consolidated net income of P1.51 billion in the first quarter of 2019, up 11.9 percent from P1.35 billion year-on-year, on double digit growth in revenues.

Puregold said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated net sales increased 12.8 percent to P34.83 billion in the first three months of 2019.

The company attributed 76 percent of the sales to the Puregold stores network and 24 percent to the S&R Membership warehouse clubs and S&R New York Style Pizza stores.

Income from operations rose to P2.57 billion in the first quarter of 2019, up 9.1 percent from P2.36 billion year-on-year.

Puregold stores registered strongerthan-expected same store sales growth of 6.9 percent in the first quarter of 2019 while S&R posted 9.4 percent during the same period.

“Our SSSG in the first quarter of 2019 is driven by higher consumer spending fueled both by minimum wage inflation in 2018 and easing inflation in 2019,” said Puregold said.

The Puregold group at the end of March had a total of 417 stores nationwide. These include 362 Puregold stores, 17 S&R membership shopping warehouses and 38 S&R New York Style QSR with a total net selling area of around 550,000 sq. m.

Puregold has earmarked P5.2 billion in capital expenditures this year primarily to add 25 new Puregold stores and four new S&R warehouse as part of a store network expansion. It aims to expand net sales by at least 8 percent to 10 percent to this year.

Meanwhile Cosco Capital Inc., the retail holding firm of Co, reported a consolidated core net income growth of 9.3 percent to P 2.06 billion from P1.88 billion in the first quarter of 2019, driven by the continued economic growth and the higher consumer spending as a result of the tax reform law.

Including the gain realized from the sale of Liquigaz Philippines Corp., consolidated net income jumped 436 percent to P10 billion.

Phoenix income down slightly in in three months

By Alena Mae S. Flores PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines said Friday net income in the first quarter declined five percent year-on-year to ₱414.671 million.

Phoenix said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange operating income reached ₱1.021 billion, up 27 percent in the first quarter, on the back of the sustained strength of its retail and commercial fuels business, the accelerating momentum of its LPG business, and a strong expense discipline.

“In spite of a tough environment, our performance in core areas, namely LPG, retail, and commercial, has shown remarkable strength, and we continue to improve our competitive position in these segments,” said Phoenix chief operating officer Henry Albert Fadullon.

“As we close a challenging quarter, we remain confident in the sound fundamentals of our businesses, at the same time, focused on, and excited by, the tremendous opportunities across our portfolio,” he said.

Phoenix increased revenues by 33 percent to ₱24.093 billion, while overall sales volume, which includes PNX Singapore, grew 33 percent year-onyear, an all-time quarterly high.

Meanwhile, Phoenix focused on effectively managing costs, which lowered operating expenses by 4 percent.

Sales volume rose 10 percent, outperforming the industry. Gains were led by LPG, which saw volume increase by 30 percent, fueled by higher household sales on the heels of the successful launch of the Phoenix SUPER LPG brand campaign.

Retail, meanwhile, posted a fivepercent growth during the period as higher throughput resulted in improved network efficiencies. Phoenix operated 615 stations nationwide as of end March this year.

Commercial sales sustained double-digit growth, with key wins in manufacturing, mining, and road transport. Philippine FamilyMart posted a total chain sales growth of 9 percent from a year ago.

World

B3

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Contributions bring water to Myanmar’s thirsty deer

IN BRIEF Ireland declares climate emergency DUBLIN―Ireland’s parliament has become the second after Britain’s to declare a climate emergency, a decision hailed by Swedish teenage environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg as “great news”.

An amendment to a parliamentary report declaring a “climate emergency” and calling on parliament “to examine how [the Irish government] can improve its response to the issue of biodiversity loss” was accepted without a vote late Thursday.

Irish Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, who moved the amendment, called the decision “historic”.

Thunberg, the 16-year-old activist who has spearheaded protests across Europe and is becoming one of the most passionate voices of the green movement, urged more nations to follow suit.

“Great news from Ireland!! Who is next?” Thunberg tweeted.

Britain’s parliament became the first in the world to declare a climate emergency, passing the largely symbolic motion on May 1.

The step followed 11 days of street protests in London by the Extinction Rebellion environmental campaign group.

Extinction Rebellion’s ultimate goal is to slash global greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2025 and to end biodiversity loss, steps that have won the backing of left-leaning politicians across the world.

The British government is currently eying a 2050 target date, which it says can be achieved without causing substantial economic damage and at a relatively low cost. AFP

Monkeypox virus in Singapore SINGAPORE―Singapore has reported its first ever case of monkeypox, brought in by a Nigerian man thought to have contracted the rare virus by eating bushmeat at a wedding.

Symptoms in humans of monkeypox―which is endemic in parts of Central and Western Africa―include lesions, fever, muscle ache and chills.

Transmission is usually via close contact with infected animals such as rodents and monkeys and is limited between people. It is not normally fatal but has been in rare cases.

The man who brought in the virus arrived in Singapore on April 28, the city-state’s health ministry (MOH) said in a statement late Thursday.

The 38-year-old developed symptoms two days later and is currently isolated at an infectious disease centre in a stable condition, the ministry said.

Another 23 individuals who had been in close contact with the man have also been quarantined and will be monitored for 21 days.

“While risk of spread is low, MOH is taking precautions,” the ministry said.

Outside Africa, human moneypox infections had only been previously reported in the United States, Britain and Israel, according to the US Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

Singapore, a tiny but affluent citystate dependent on external trade and tourism, has toughened measures against infectious diseases after it was hit hard by the 2003 SARS virus outbreak.

The disease killed 33 people in Singapore, inflicted major losses on the economy and hit the number of international visitors. AFP

TAKE THAT! Spanish bullfighter Miguel Angel Perera is tossed by a bull during a bullfight at the Real Maestranza bullring in Sevilla on May 9, 2019. AFP

Beijing vows to hit back at higher tariffs from US W ASHINGTON―The United States pulled the trigger Friday on a steep increase in tariffs on Chinese products and Beijing immediately vowed to hit back, turning up the heat before a second day of trade negotiations.

President Donald Trump got a briefing from his trade negotiators after the first day of talks with the Chinese side on Thursday, but made no move to hold off on the tariffs—dashing hopes there might be a lastminute reprieve as the negotiations continued.

Minutes after the US increased punitive duties on $200 billion in imports from 10 to 25 percent, the Chinese commerce ministry said it “deeply regrets” the move and repeated its pledge to take “necessary countermeasures”, without elaborating.

Locked in a trade dispute for more than a year, officials from the world’s two biggest economies returned to the bargaining table late Thursday, led by Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Since last year, the two sides have exchanged tariffs on more than $360 billion in two-way trade, gutting US agricultural exports to China and weighing on both countries’ manufacturing sectors.

Trump began the standoff because of complaints about unfair Chinese trade practices.

The US team met with Trump late Thursday night to brief him and “agreed to continue discussions” on Friday, the White House said in a statement.

Lighthizer and Mnuchin met the Chinese delegation for about 90 minutes Thursday evening and they had a working dinner with Liu. “We hope the US and the Chinese side can meet each other halfway and work hard together to resolve existing problems through cooperation and consultation,” the

Chinese commerce ministry said in a statement.

Despite optimism from officials in recent weeks that the talks were moving towards a deal, tensions reignited this week after Trump angrily accused China of trying to backpedal on its commitments.

“They took many, many parts of that deal and they renegotiated. You can’t do that,” Trump said on Thursday.

But he held out hopes of salvaging a deal.

“It’s possible to do it,” Trump said. “I did get last night a very beautiful letter from President Xi [Jinping].”

At the same time, he said he would be happy to keep tariffs in place. And he has threatened to extend the tough duties to all Chinese goods.

Michael Taylor, a managing director for Moody’s Investors Service, said the tariff hike “further raises tensions” between the two countries.

“While we believe that a trade deal will eventually be reached between the US and China, the risk of a complete breakdown in trade talks has certainly increased,” Taylor said. AFP

Victory in sight for ANC in closely watched election

CEREMONY DATES. An Imperial envoy walks at the inner shrine of Ise to report the dates of the Enthronement Ceremony and Daijosai (Great Thanksgiving Ceremony) in Ise on May 10, 2019. AFP

Parent outrage as sick US teacher is forced to pay for her substitute LOS ANGELES―Parents at an elementary school in San Francisco have expressed outrage after learning that a teacher suffering from cancer and on sick leave is having to pay the school district for her substitute.

The second-grade teacher at Glen Park Elementary is off sick with breast cancer for the rest of the year and has been paying nearly $200 a day for her replacement, in accordance with state law, local news reports said.

“Parents were outraged and incredulous―like, this can’t be,” Amanda Fried, who has a daughter in kindergarten and another in third grade, told the San Francisco Chronicle. “There must be some mistake.”

MAGWAY, Myanmar―A herd of endangered deer wait under the shade of one of the sparse trees in this parched central Myanmar landscape, watching as rangers dispatch drinking water― a life-saving resource funded by well wishers across the country.

Shwe Settaw nature reserve in Magway Division is home to the endemic species of Eld’s or golden deer. But their habitat lies in the country’s central dry zone, a low-lying plain astride the Irrawaddy River where water shortages are rife in the hot season.

This year temperatures have soared to a record 47 degrees centigrade.

The sanctuary’s 20-odd lakes and ponds―a lifeline for the deer, wild boar, jackals, peacocks and other creatures―have all dried up.

In one lake bed, a water depth-measuring rod stands marooned in the middle of a mosaic of cracked, arid earth.

Many of the park’s estimated 1,000 deer started venturing dangerously close to villages outside the reserve, putting themselves at risk of poaching, rangers say.

At the end of April, the park’s dozen rangers started pooling their money to travel to a nearby river to collect water and re-fill a couple of the scorched craters.

But after realizing this was unsustainable they turned to Facebook for help.

Donations poured in from as far away as Yangon, Mandalay and Shan state in the northeast.

“Luckily, it really captured people’s interest,” ranger Thein Lwin tells AFP with a smile, adding that within a few days they had received over 1 million kyat ($650).

The sum is enough to pay for the petrol and fees needed to hire water-carrying tankers that take six daily trips to a small river some 15 kilometers away.

Each tanker holds around 4,500 liters of water.

They have even stopped accepting money on the assumption the fund will see them through to the monsoon season in the coming weeks.

In another section of the reserve, a breeding programme for the critically endangered Burmese star tortoise faces similar problems.

“We lost some tortoises because of the extreme heat,” says Steve Platt, a herpetologist with the World Conservation Society.

“That doesn’t happen every year.

Three or four—we just found them dead,” he says. AFP

A school district spokeswoman, however, told AFP that the payment was not unusual and was in line with state law.

“This is not unique to San Francisco,” Laura Dudnick said in a statement. “This is not a districtonly rule.”

Dudnick explained that teachers in the district get 10 days of sick leave a year and can carry over those sick days year after year if they don’t use them.

Once those sick days are exhausted, teachers are then eligible for 100 days of extended sick leave, during which they are entitled to their full pay, minus the cost of a substitute.

On learning about the little-known

provision in the state’s education code, horrified parents last month began raising money for the popular teacher, who has asked that her name not be disclosed.

A GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $14,000 and some of the children are planning bake sales to raise more funds.

“I just feel sad that from what I heard, she is a very good teacher and I just feel sad what’s going on [with] her,” Narciso Flores-Diaz, a parent, told NBC Bay Area on Wednesday. “Our school is pulling together to help her and to make her feel that she’s not alone.”

The GoFundMe page says that parents are supporting the 17-year veteran teacher as “she has nurtured

our children and now it is time for us to take care of her.”

“Just a few days after her surgery, she took the time to write out 22 completely personalized notes to the students in the class thanking them for their support, telling them she missed them dearly and encouraging them to continue working hard,” the campaign said.

The head of the union that represents the teachers said the issue might be part of the next round of bargaining talks.

“As always, we look forward to making improvements in this and other parts of the contract,” Susan Solomon, president of the United Educators of San Francisco, told the Chronicle. AFP

PRETORIA―South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ruling ANC was in touching distance of election victory Friday but with diminished support, complicating the efforts to revive the country’s flagging economy and fight corruption, results showed.

The African National Congress, in power since 1994, held a very comfortable lead with nearly 57 percent after three-quarters of voting districts were officially tallied following Wednesday’s vote.

But the result would be the party’s worst national showing since Nelson Mandela led the ANC to victory in the first multi-racial polls after apartheid ended in 1994.

Ramaphosa, 66, took over last year when the party forced then-president Jacob Zuma to resign after nine years dominated by corruption allegations and economic problems.

He was expected to visit the Electoral Commission (IEC) results operation center in Pretoria at 0800 GMT. “We’re going to be the government, whether there is decline or increase,” said the ANC’s chairman Gwede Mantashe late on Thursday.

Results released by the IEC showed the ANC’s closest rival, the main opposition Democratic Alliance trailing with a distant 22 percent of the vote.

The Economic Freedom Fighters, founded six years ago by former ANC youth leader Julius Malema, was in third place with almost 10 percent.

Final results are expected to be officially certified on Saturday. AFP

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SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

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PROVINCIAL HUBS ON A ROLL. Panelists zeroed in on the real estate industry’s palpable confidence over the steady growth of projects outside the Metro. From left, Suresh; Bondoc; Charles Ong, chief operating officer of Innoland Development Corporation; Fernando Camus, senior consultant of Berthaphil, Inc.; Emmanuel Rapadas, chief financial officer of Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation; and Richard Tay, business unit head of the Commercial Business Group of Property Company of Friends, Inc.

At the second installment of the Lamudi Outlook roundtable series held this week in Makati, panelists were bullish over the growth in residential, office, industrial and tourist-related property listings and demand outside Metro Manila, amid the country’s projected steady economic climb.

Almost all of the panelists were unanimous that despite the steady increase in property prices in the provinces, they expect purchases and rentals to pick up “because of the intrinsic value of property.”

Meanwhile, Colliers, which coorganized the Outlook series, opined that said real estate developers are looking outside Metro Manila for their projects to complement the government’s own infrastructure projects.

Joey Bondoc, senior research manager of Colliers International Philippines said the real estate sector is ostensibly taking advantage of the

Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program, which developers and construction players expect will sustain the country’s growth “over the next two to three years.”

SURGE IN DEMAND AND SUPPLY Roundtable moderator Bhavna Suresh, CEO of Lamudi, opened the discussion by citing the growing interest from local and foreign investors, as bolstered by the national government’s robust infrastructure projects in provincial cities, which has attracted a surge in interest among property buyers from here and abroad.

She said that from 2017 to 2018, Pampanga registered an 873-percent increase in leads on the Lamudi platform. During the same time frame, Cavite witnessed a 298-percent increase in leads, Davao raked in 69 percent, while Cebu and Iloilo also increased by 274 and 214 percent, respectively. Page views among properties in Bacolod

HE Philippine real estate market is booming, and not just in Metro Manila.

Investors are looking into the emerging hotspots of Cebu, Cavite, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Pampanga.

Booming real state growth outside Metro Manila seen in next five years likewise spiked by 38 percent, she added.

Based on Lamudi listings from 2017 to 2018, Davao enjoyed a 102-percent increase in listings while Pampanga saw a 202-percent spike. Likewise, Cavite’s listings spiked by 188 percent. Cebu-based listings increased by 27 percent while Iloilo grew by 29 percent.

Bacolod, however, had more property searches than the available supply during the time period, where apartment and land searches were seven (7) percent and 12 percent higher than the supply, respectively.

DECONGESTING METRO MANILA Cavite was discussed as a fast growing business hub. Pampanga is also grooming itself as a primary investment site, given in large part to the lack of developable land in Metro Manila.

Other reasons seen to bolster growth

in the provinces are lower inflation and lower income taxes, which could help boost the retail sector.

Outsourcing firms, which are seen to sustain demand for office spaces, will continue to seek the Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s proclaimed offices outside Metro Manila.

The expansion of offshore gaming firms are seen to continue as a number of local governments are taking a more concrete stance on these businesses, which should offer clarification as to the expansion plans of these firms in the next five years.

As for residential spaces, developers are expected to be more aggressive in launching new projects in the fringes of central business districts, where land is cheaper.

Tourism is an attractive option for investors, with the hotel sector expected to flourish despite the government missing its target last year of 7.4 million tourists.

Bondoc projected about a 10% rise in foreign arrivals in 2019, or 7.8 million tourists. This should sustain hotel occupancy at around 69% over the next 12 months, at least, he said.

HOUSE AND LOTS DOMINATE The panelists acknowledged that most property seekers in the provinces are interested in house and lots, although there’s also a growing interest for residential condo units.

The majority also prefer to buy these types of properties compared to those who want to rent them. In Iloilo, for instance, the page views for houses were close to 62 percent among property seekers, about 52 percent when it comes to sessions, and 59 percent for leads generated, based on Lamudi’s data.

The same is true for Cavite, where about 64 percent of the leads came from house searches.

Japanese technology pooh poohs threat of ‘Big One’ Seasons Residences shines light on structural design

LOCAL government investigators recently unveiled chilling security footage taken at the height of the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that shook Luzon last April 22, showing supporting beams “exploding” inside a four-story supermarket in Porac, Pampanga.

The quake caused the building’s steel and concrete foundations to crumble within a mere seven seconds, giving victims inside the supermarket no chance to escape as governed in the Philippines’ building code.

The footage strengthens suspicions that the steel used in the construction of the supermarket were of “poor quality”. Specifically, “quenchtempered” (QT) steel bars, that were mislabelled and not suitable for welding, caused the beams of the building to give way prematurely even before victims inside had the opportunity to “duck, cover and hold.”

As a country located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, seismic activity in the Philippines is a given. Luckily, these earthquakes are often short and weak, and far in between. Only three significant quakes were felt by Metro Manila in more than ten years. This long interval, coupled with the recent 6.1 magnitude and the two smaller ones that followed in quick succession suggests the possibility of a “big one” soon to follow. Are we ready for it?

GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS

The good news is that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is reportedly moving to standardize the manufacture and labelling of quality steel reinforcing bars, particularly for high rise buildings. Industry sources revealed to the Manila Standard that the DTI will implement the the distinct embossing on each rebar of the steel grade of a product to properly identify its quality, within the year.

This follows a law filed earlier this year

by Congressman Scott Davies S. Lanete (House Bill 8871) seeking more stringent labelling, testing, enforcement and penalties, among others, for steel rebars.

The labelling , or “embossing” of grades which reflect the actual type of steel, is a welcome move, industry observers say, as well as much needed reforms reportedly in the works, namely, “cyclic loading tests” for locally manufactured steel rebars, which calls for these to be subjected to repeated, fluctuating intensity stress tests; and minimal steel grade requirements (grade 60) for rebars to be used in high rise buildings and other major infrastructure.

The bad news is that the reforms may not be able to address the danger faced by the plethora of high rise buildings that have already risen, particularly in Metro Manila over the past ten years, when the “big one” hits.

Many of these buildings, direct beneficia-

ries of the property boom over the past ten years, including mushrooming government infrastructure such as airports and mass transport facilities, were built using substandard steel rebars sold using the color-coded labelling process.

A major controversy in the industry over the past decades have been steelmakers who market their supposedly tested and correctlylabelled products rebars as grade 60 in strength when these are only grade 40.

Experts agree that such practices put into question the structural integrity of high rise edifices during times of a major earthquake.

In other seismic-prone countries, the testing grades can be up to 80 to 100. The Philippine government has been slow to adopt this safety-driven process, and has simply relied on using painted marks to identify rebar types over the past decade. This has been a source of fraud in the industry as the paint can be erased or painted with another color.

More alarmingly, a leading industry player that has stridently advocated for color-coding of rebars instead of embossing — and has been unloading thousands of these mis-labelled rebars in the market— recently claimed that it had built over 50 percent of the high rise buildings in Metro Manila during much of the same period.

A DESIRE NAMED SOLAR JEEP.

The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), recently launched a fleet of solar electric jeepneys to serve the PITX-Sucat route. The Great Power Movers Transportation Corporation (GPMTC) will operate 33 units in the PITX-Sucat route. Each unit seats 20 passengers and is equipped with Wi-Fi connection, electric fans, USB charging stations, and an LED screen.

Jeepney charging stations are targeted to be built within the PITX premises. The e-jeeps were supplied by Star 8 Green Technology Corporation (Star 8). The Sucat route will cover the following areas: PITX– Macapagal Boulevard–MIA Road–NAIA Road–Dr. A. Santos Avenue– Meralco Road. Minimum fare for the solar jeepneys is P10.00.

SENATOR ANGARA AT CREBA MEETING. Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Senator Sonny M. Angara recently called attention to the housing crisis at a business meeting of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations, Inc. (CREBA). Angara vowed to work with CREBA by intensifying housing production to the level of 500,000 units per year, or 10 million homes in 20 years. CREBA supports a bill which pools together a P270billion Comprehensive Home Financing Program (CHFP) to grant long-term and affordable homeloans to low-income earners. From left: CREBA national chairman Charlie A. V. Gorayeb, Sen. Angara and national president Noel Toti M. Cariño.

EARTHQUAKERESISTANT BUILDINGS NOT A PIPE DREAM.

Structural engineer Raul Manlapig, of Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong, Ltd. and Keisuke Sugihara, general manager of PNS Advanced Steel Technology., Inc. discuss tall buildings design, seismic design and evaluation of buildings, structural behavior under seismic loads, and vibration control devices that can save lives.

Last week’s earthquakes measured 5.6 to 6.1 intensity (Richter scale) at their epicenters, respectively, and left at least 19 dead and more than 80 people injured. The terrible structural damages to buildings in Pampanga and the Visayas happened at only intensity 4. Based on the claim of this local steelmaker, should an earthquake at intensity 8 hit Metro Manila, over half of the high rise buildings in the metropolis would be flattened due to the substandard steel used in their construction.

TREMORS, A DAILY PART OF LIFE IN JAPAN Japan considers earthquakes as a part of daily life. It’s something that locals have come to expect, and have grown accustomed to. When tremors happen, earthquake drills are automatically performed like clockwork, after which everything goes back to normal. This nonchalance is owed to Japanese confidence that advanced measures are in place. If a big quake does hit, they’ll be safe.

Japan has through the years adapted their buildings and infrastructure to resist various natural disasters, gaining a unique insight one can only attain from first-hand experience. Through these seismic events, they’re able to gather information that help plan for the future. One of their biggest innovations in earthquake vibration control technology, the Visco-elastic dampers (VCDs), is actually used by the world’s tallest buildings like Tokyo Skytree and Taipei 101.

The soon-to-rise Seasons Residences at Grand Central Park in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, will be using this damping technology.

The Seasons Residences is a joint project of Federal Land’s and Japanese conglomerates Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.

The mixed-use, lifestyle center will feature the marriage of Japanese innovation and design with the Philippines’ unique brand of community. A major part of this innovative drive will be the use of VCDs technology, typical of over 300 buildings across the world from Japan, Taiwan, Canada, Mexico and the United States.

“NO PRICE TAG ON PEOPLE’S LIVES” Federal Land held a short talk last week on the VCDs technology, featuring Keisuke Sugihara, general Manager of PNS Advanced Steel Technology, Inc. (Nippon Steel Engineering Group) and Raul Manlapig, managing director of Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd. The panel tackled topics from earthquake preparedness, structural design, and the intricacies behind the damping technology of the Seasons Residences. One of the features highlighted was the use of the VCDs system which acts as shock absorbers to ensure that residents are safe and comfortable during earthquakes and typhoons.

Aside from the damper systems, the Seasons Residences will also also adhere to the Philippines’ National Building Code to further ensure an earthquake-resistant structure.

To be sure, the VCDs system, and steps to adhere strictly to the building code, carries a higher price tag for sustainable structural projects such as the Seasons Residences.

But as Sugihara pointed out last week, as in Japan, the issue of structural design integrity “holds great economic impact on all of our lives.”

Manlapig agreed, reminding participants at the discussion that in a seismic-active country, “safety should never be sacrificed for a few pesos of savings. You can’t put a price tag on people’s lives.”

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife

YOUNG LIFE

@MStandardLIFE SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019

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APPY hour lasted three days at the recent MNL Beer Fest in Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City.

The country’s largest beer event to date gathered over 250 beer brands.

There were homegrown microbreweries and nanobreweries doling out their concoctions right alongside international craft beer brewers and commercial beer brands in the country.

Complementing the unique and beloved brews were a selection of delectable artisan food choices, live music, and live art, making the event—an offshoot of the annual MNL Craft Beer Festival— more lively and fun.

“The Philippine Craft Beer Community is starting to see more people interested, and we get more excited to be part of these kinds of big events,” said Jun Flores, head of the Philippine Craft Beer Community.

Flores noted that over 55 out of the 70-plus craft beer brewers from all over the country joined the gathering. Some of the notable brands brewing from different parts of the Philippines include 63 North Brewing Company, Bel Ale, Cerveza Sagada, CraftPoint Brewing Co., Flat Foot Brewery, Nipa Brew, Joe’s Brew, and Engkanto.

Ibalon Craft Brew, the first craft brewery in Bicol Region named after the famous native epic, showcased their special sili-infused beer that packed quite a flavorful punch. Pampangabased Bulul Brewery, which pays homage to the Bulul of Ifugao, whipped up a performance-worthy Vanilla Bourbon Smores concoction especially for the three-day beer event.

The beer selection once again brought Filipino ingenuity to the spotlight, pushing Flores to hope that it inspires bud-

STRAIGHT FROM THE TAP. The recent MNL Beer Fest gathered over 250 local and international beer brands to showcase their unique and best-selling brews.

MNL Beer Fest celebrates ding brewers to become part of the tight-knit community so that more people can help educate the market on the appreciation of beer.

International and commercial beer brands, namely Lindemans Brewery, Lefebvre Brewery, C Brewery, Dubuis-

son, Holgate Brewhouse, Moosehead, Lion, Estrella Galicia, Velkopopovický Kozel, Pilsner Urquell, and Corona Extra were also given spotlight during the event.

Being mainstays of the Greenfield District event grounds, Flores emphasized that partnering with a prestig-

ious company that generously offers their 15-hectare mixed-use development to culture-centric events for three years and counting helps the community flourish.

JP Aguirre-Lim, senior manager for corporate marketing of Green-

field Development Corporation, also spoke about the company’s wholehearted support of events like the MNL Beer Fest that uplift local businesses. “It’s the largest beer gathering in the country and we have always Turn to C2

Happy hour lasted three days at Greenfield District during the MNL Beer Festival, wherein enthusiasts tried a variety of brews and gained better appreciation of the beverage.

University promotes Positive Psychology among Gen Z “THE youth has to understand that healthy psychological well-being comes from a growth mindset that enables one to cope with stress of life,” said Far Eastern University guidance and counseling director Dr. Sheila Marie Hocson.

During the forum, entitled “Mental Health Awareness and Positive Psychology among Digital Natives,” Dr. Hocson shared the nature, symptoms, and causes of mental health issues and how to prevent and deal with it.

The discussion was attended by more than 240 senior high school students, teachers, guidance counselors, and mental health advocates from 19 schools in Metro Manila.

With the mission of providing solutions to challenges faced by today’s youth, FEU teamed up with the Department of Health to understand how digital natives think and to improve their p s yc h olog ic a l well-being.

DOH and the National Statistics Office’s studies show that cases of selfharm due to mental illness have increased in recent years, especially among the young. Mental illness is now the third most common form of disability among Filipinos, with a high number of suicide reports observed between the ages of 15 to 29.

According to Dr. Hocson, Generation Z or iGen grew up in the middle of the Great Recession and age of the

information highway. These two major global phenomena affect how the digital youth processes and acts upon their thoughts and emotions.

“This age group is hyper-aware. They were exposed early to the weight of real life decisions while still developing their emotional being,” shared Dr. Hocson.

“Together with unfiltered information

available across online media, the mental state of digital natives can easily be confused if not guided well. It is important to instill them with values early on.”

Poor mental health is generally caused by lack of self-awareness, coping skills, psychological capital, and attachment from significant people in their lives. Without these, daily stress has the potential to build up and lead to different mental health concerns.

To help digital natives achieve a healthy psychological wellbeing, both families and schools are encouraged to conduct growth mindset programs and positive education anchored by Positive Psychology. These include activities that will hone the cognitive and non-cognitive skills of the digital youth.

Moreover, these are exercises that promote an attitude of accepting one’s own flaws and imperfections, and respecting diversity, inclusion, and equality.

Families and schools are encouraged to conduct positive education to help the youth achieve a healthy psychological well-being.

HAPPY FEET

This generation’s Veronica Lodge and Betty Cooper of the hit TV series ‘Riverdale’

Betty and Veronica sneakers KEDS treats Betty Cooper and Ve- denim and graphic prints. The comic ronica Lodge’s fans with its collec- book sound effect graphics, golden tion of sneakers featuring one of the star studs, and profiles of Betty and most celebrated best Veronica transform Keds’ subtle friend duos. pink Kickstart tennis shoes Poised to be into a pair of state“a celebration ment-ma k i ng of the famed sneakers. characters’ retMeanwhile, ro Americana the Double style, confident Champion x Betty and Veronica Decker Comic attitude, and sneakers, which female camaalso comes in purple, fearaderie,” the tures a cool collage of blackcollection and-white frames showcases from the 1950s six cool pairs Archie Comof sneakers ics. Roundthat exude ing up the girl power. collection The strikare the lighting embroidered Kickstart x Betty and Veronica Comics on -t he - eye s profiles of Betty Kickstart and Veronica sneakers with pastelare featured on the velvet uppers of the hued comic strip prints. soft blush pink Keds Triple Deckers.

Keds Champion x Betty and Veronica This collection is available at Keds Pop Print serves stylish coolness with stores nationwide.

Life

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SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Café for cyclists opens

CYCLING AND COFFEE. Celeste Cycles PH’s Circulo Verde branch features a bike fitting studio and bike-and-run training facility with a café on the side.

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ELESTE CYCLES PH, one of the largest retailers of top of the line cycling products in the country, has recently opened a shop that combines bicycle and coffee in Circulo Verde, Quezon City.

Founded in late 2017 by businessman and biking enthusiast Paul Tan, Celeste Cycles PH opened its first store in Congressional Avenue, Quezon City. He initially intended to increase awareness and build trust for the countless premium cycling brands they distribute by having a full selection of their products readily available to their customers.

Two years and two stores later, he has decided to further their aspirations by providing a more interactive experience

in their retail space, hence the birth of Celeste Café and Cycles.

The café is open for cyclists and coffee lovers; a venue where patrons and guests can share their adventures and interests.

Aside from a café, the Circulo Verde branch also offers new facilities and service offerings for an enhanced cycling experience, whether a person considers it as sports or recreation.

The new showroom introduces an indoor bike-and-run training facility powered by Acer Xplova’s New Noza

Smart Trainers. This cutting-edge technology offers the ability to create accurate course simulations, helping riders monitor performance development and customize their training regime specific to their needs.

Another exclusive service is the Precision Bike Fitting Studio equipped with 3D Motionlogic Systems. This provides dynamic and precise information enabling the fitter to find a person’s optimal riding position on any bike he chooses to ride.

Some of the best-selling and respected brands available at Celeste include Bianchi, Factor, Dimond, and Look.

There’s also a designated mechanic area furnished with quality tools and maintenance parts for any bicycle concerns.

The café offers a space where professional cyclists and enthusiasts can share stories and relax.

E-learning teaches electoral process IN AN effort to bring the “real world” to the classroom, a school in Naga City, Camarines Sur launched a program that lets students experience a simulation of the electoral process.

Amelia Cadiz, the directress of Minds That Matter, initiated this student election exercise modeled after the electoral process in the Philippines where voters would visit respective districts and line up to enter the polling stations. Over 800 students participated in the election, which was conducted through the school’s learning management system, Genyo e-Learning.

Genyo e-Learning, the first fully integrated online learning management system brought to the Philippines by Diwa Learning Systems Inc. in 2007, houses rich, animated lessons and activities for core subject areas: English, Science, Mathematics, Filipino, and Araling Panlipunan.

With the help of Diwa, Minds That

Matter became the first school to conduct an online student election in Naga City.

“Diwa was very supportive,” shared Cadiz. “They told us the ways where we can maximize the use of the elearning system.”

For the elections, Cadiz said the school set up a room where students registered and used their account in Genyo to be able to vote. A live video was shared with the parents through Facebook Live. After the students voted, they were marked with indelible ink, imitating the process applied to eligible voters.

E-learning was introduced in Minds That Matter in July 2017. Genyo gave the school an easy transition from traditional delivery to online education. Since then, the school has utilized the different tools in Genyo to create ways to help teachers provide a modern and holistic learning experience to their students.

Go Green in the City is an annual global competition focused on bold ideas and innovative solutions for sustainable cities.

Search is on for young sustainability innovators IN 2018, De La Salle University-Manila students Don Emmanuel Santamaria and Fae Nicole Serrano claimed the championship in the annual student contest for energy management with their mobile application that lets users invest and donate to renewable energy projects.

The said application was also designed to be a platform for proposing ideas and initiatives and setting up crowdfunding, as well as an e-store where users can buy and sell products related to green energy.

Santamaria and Serrano are just two of several Filipino students who have placed in the regional and global finals of Go Green in the City since 2014.

Go Green City, an annual global student contest by Schneider Electric, looks for bold ideas and innovative solutions for smarter, more energy-efficient, and sustainable cities.

Last year, over 24,000 young innovators from more than 3,000 universities in 163 countries took part in the competition.

The stakes for Go Green in the City 2019 competitors are high. Not only do the competitors get a chance to make an impact in powering the digital economy, they also get a chance to win an international trip to Schneider Electric’s Global Innovation Summit 2019, a two-day event on Oct. 2-3 in Barcelona, Spain.

The event will bring together Schneider Electric experts and world-leading industry thinkers to share insights and bold ideas on the challenges and opportunities of Powering the Digital Economy. Students will have opportunities to be connected and be mentored by industry experts, and ultimately to work for Schneider Electric.

Students are invited to submit their ideas in any of the four categories: Buildings of the Future, Plants of the Future, Grids of the Future, and Sustainability and Access to Energy.

The challenges are connected to Schneider Electric’s sustainable business strategy and reflect the company’s commitment with UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Students can share ideas

to reshape the future and show a more effective side of sustainability: the connection of the social and environmental impacts with technology and the business world.

“With the new categories for this year’s competition, we really want to see how far students can take their imagination as they use technology to power their ideas and help Schneider Electric transform cities, reshape industries, and enrich lives,” said Rochelle Bulan, project lead of Go Green in the City Philippines.

Teams must be composed of two students attending accredited business, engineering, physics, computer science, mathematics, and other sciences schools. Each team should include at least one female member, in line with Schneider Electric’s policy of promoting diversity and inclusion.

The deadline for submission of entry is on May 25.

Go to gogreeninthecity.se.com or www. facebook.com/GoGreenintheCity for more information.

Minds That Matter conducts an online student election with the help of an e-learning system.

MNL...

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supported local businesses, artists, and musicians alike by providing them a venue to showcase their craft.

It’s our way of giving back to the community we serve,” she said.

According to Lim, hosting events like the MNL Beer Fest is just one of the ways Greenfield opens itself up to diverse lifestyle concepts that promote

music, culture, and the arts, including unique culinary experiences.

Greenfield District also plays host to regular weekly events such as the Greenfield Weekend Market that caters to food lovers and small food business owners; and Jazz Fest Thursdays that aims to support the local jazz scene with its laid-back outdoor vibe. In June, the Craft Beer Association hopes to once again partner with Greenfield District to host a Beer Fest in celebration of Independence Day.

Entertainment

Marija does not

By Robbie Pangilinan

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ROATIAN model, actress, dancer, and singer Marija Debelic does not celebrate Mother’s Day every second Sunday of May. Instead, she celebrates it every single day.

“Honestly I don’t celebrate Mother’s Day because I treat my mom everyday like it’s her special day. If you ask me, Mother’s Day should be way more often than once a year. I consider being a mother the hardest job and we should give appreciation to our mothers all the time, on a daily basis,” says the 26-year-old who starred in the TV drama Be My Lady and in the films Art of Ligaw and Beauty and the Bestie.

Marija describes her mom, 52-year-old Božena from Zadar, Croatia, as “the best and the strongest woman” she knows.

Growing up, Marija remembers that her mom was always there for her especially when she needed help in school work and when she had a hard time during child hood.

“I had problems with reading and some subjects like history and she would always help me even for long hours,” shares the cum laude in Economics and Business Management graduate.

Marija says her mother is not a disciplinarian to her and her siblings Ana, 24, and Ante Toni, 18.

“She never had certain methods of discipline or punishment.

She would just always make us feel what’s right and wrong so we basically chose for ourselves. It always works. She would make you feel like you’re responsible for your own actions and if you choose wrong that you’re doing bad for yourself and not for anyone else,” recalls Marija, adding that they just talked when there had disagreements.

Božena was Marija’s age when she became a mother. She knew she was prepared to become a mom as she read books about children and raising them. She raised her children by showing them what can be done right through her example.

She taught her children truthfulness, taking care of others, and always looking forward.

Through the years, Marija says her relationship with her mom became stronger. They love having good discussions over coffee, and going out for cocktails or wine.

“Just talking with my mom is always an amazing thing. We always have an exchange of quality and intellectual opinions and really good discussions,” beams Marija.

If and when Marija becomes a mom someday, she would like to be just as empathetic, understanding, caring, and patient as her mom.

Marija’s promise is to build or buy her mom a nice house by the sea. She says she will give her mother everything she needs in this world. Božena, on the other hand, does not like any material gift, she is content with the gift of trust she has with her children.

celebrate Mother’s Day

We all have heard the line “what happened to us?” before but when you hear Nicco Manalo’s manner of delivery in the film, believe me, something inside you will scream.

True to many, this actor is relative new, if not an unknown personality, but once you experience him as Sam, he may not be John Lloyd Cruz handsome, not even JM De Guzman charming, or a fresh prince like Joshua Garcia, but, boy oh boy, he will give these mainstream leading men tough competition when it

comes to playing it for truth.

As the broken hearted Sam of five years ago who now has a lady love, Manalo’s portrayal of his character, his charm will grow on you. He is everything that defies the leading man status quo and yet, as the man in the title role, you feel him, you want to know him better, you want him to be your friend, and in the movie, you will want to unravel why the devastating beautiful Issa fell for him. Is it because intelligence is the new sexy? Or is it because Sam gives all in the name of romance?

The cast of 'Tayo sa Huling Buwan ng Taon' with film director Nestor Abrogena Jr. (leftmost)

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, May 11, 2019

ACROSS 1 Liverpool poky 5 Complies 10 Lady’s honorific 14 Dog food brand 15 Drudge 16 Largest continent 17 Speckled horse 18 Kitchen tool 19 Tenets 20 Waffle variety 22 Fishing net 24 Crowd 26 Showroom models 29 Illegal burning 32 Come in second 35 Halter 36 “— Window” 37 Flowering shrub 39 Trudeau’s party, briefly 40 “Rose Marie” hero 42 Livelier 44 Imitate 45 Crater Lake locale 47 Russo or Magritte 48 “The,” to Wolfgang 49 Existed 50 Roman sculptures 51 Leg part 53 Delicate hue

56 Toxic gas 59 Caused resentment 63 Big oil supplier 65 Sci-fi regular 67 Ireland 68 Not quiet 69 Rodeo mount 70 Rider’s gear 71 Beavers’ young 72 Drop a glass 73 Tallow source DOWN 1 Attire 2 Succulent plant 3 Whitish gem 4 Range roamer 5 Golden statuette 6 Fair-haired boy 7 Corn serving 8 — St. Laurent 9 Bone-dry 10 Bangor locale 11 Legislative bodies 12 Goal 13 More, to Pedro 21 Ca++ or Na+ 23 Brain waves 25 Lilly of pharmaceuticals 27 Situate 28 Buffalo pucksters 29 Naval force 30 End a shut-

down 31 Fermented cabbage 33 Ricelike pasta 34 Visible 37 King’s address 38 Look curiously 41 Hauled off 43 Diner patrons 46 Solidify 50 Make taboo 52 Touches down 54 Wrinkle removers 55 Gate fastener 57 Scepter go-

withs 58 Yardstick 60 Place 61 Pennsylvania port 62 Door ding 63 Type 64 King, to monsieur 66 Mae West accessory

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Bb. Pilipinas frontrunner passes bar exam

By Eton Concepcion WHILE establishing herself as a force to reckon with in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas search, Bea Patricia ‘Patch’ Magtanong, a University of the Philippines’ College of Law graduate, fulfilled her other dream of becoming a full-pledged lawyer, after passing the Bar Examinations. Magtanong followed in the footsteps of her father, a lawyer, whom she grew up idolizing.

The Bataan beauty, who also has an undergraduate diploma in Business Economics at UP-Diliman, may be facing the newly crowned Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst, a 28-year-old African American lawyer, if she snares the Miss Philippines-Universe title up for grab on coronation night of Bb. Pilipinas pageant on June 9.

Like Magtanong, Kryst practices civil litigation for a law firm and does free legal work for prisoners who may be sentenced unjustly, helping them to seek reduced punishments.

As a Law graduate, I visit several prisons in the city and I also work to handle flights of poor and indigents.

I work with NGOs to give legal assistance or training to prisoners. I teach them the legal process on the flow of their cases and offer guidance to the inmates, who are mostly cannot afford to have lawyers,” the eloquent 24-yearold model said during an interview at the photo-walk activity of the national pageant.

I teach them to know their rights even if they are convicted. Also, I work with NGOs to rehabilitate prisoners for release, so they could find job, would not go back to their criminal ways and to return to their communities as useful members of society,” she added.

Croatian model Marija Debelic; (inset) an old photo with her mom Božena

Brokenhearted club A SONG once asked, “What becomes of the broken hearted?” And yes, when once heart has reached that point, how do you bring it back to its whole state? Is another romantic partner the answer to speed up the healing of one’s achy, breaky heart?

Or work becomes therapy and the closest of friends become sounding boards and crying shoulders?

All these questions get answers when you troop to the cinemas and watch Tayo Sa Huling Buwan ng Taon, which is now showing.

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019

Vera, the one named wonder and the film’s ingénue is one of the prettiest leading ladies this side of local Tinseltown. The camera loves her. No bad angles. No facial pores. You know she’s posh and she is not faking it. In one scene, she blurted out, “I love lit!” You are made aware that this lovely lady is an authentic literary arts aficionado.

Anna Luna (she is also Anna in the film) and Alex Medina as Frank did splendid acting turns.

My best acting bet, the actor who portrayed the role of Nicco’s youngest brother. My dear readers, you better brace yourself for Empoy’s rival is here and his name is Emman Nimidez. He is a natural scene stealer.

Nestor Abrogena Jr.’s second motion picture is like a case of comparison and contrast between two pairs of lovers.

Everything in this film is subtle, nuanced, textured, beautifully photographed with long, sublime scenes wherein no words are spoken and yet, you can see in the eyes and expressions of the quartet how they were speaking in volumes.

If you have a penchant for slow burning exposition and narrative that zeroes on the trouble with hellos with your exes, the reality that you should never chase or meet an old love, rules on rebound, closure at existential angst, understated yet heartfelt performances that hits your gut and pierces your heart like an arrow, then this is the film that you must watch.

Bet your bottom pesos for this gem of a film.

BEAUTY AND BRAINS. Binibining

Pilipinas frontrunner Patricia Magtanong is among the passers in the bar exams held in November.

GMA...

From C4 Recently-launched romantic comedy series Love You Two immediately made it to the list followed by Studio 7, Kapuso Movie Night, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, Eat Bulaga, The Crown Princess, Bubble Gang, My Golden Life, The Boobay and Tekla Show, and Imbestigador.

Similarly, the Kapuso channel maintained its dominance in Mega Manila, which accounts for 60 percent of all urban viewers in the country.

Based on official data from April 1 to 20, GMA registered a winning average total day people audience share of 39 percent as against ABS-CBN’s 28 percent. In Mega Manila’s list of toprating programs, 23 out of the top 30 shows were from GMA. Nielsen data is gathered through a greater number of sampled homes nationwide in comparison to Kantar Media. With approximately 900 more homes surveyed in Total Urban and Rural Philippines compared to Kantar, Nielsen data is statistically considered more representative of the total TV population.

Nielsen TV Audience Measurement’s client pool covers a total of 32 clients/ subscribers consisting of 6 local TV networks including ABS-CBN, TV5, Aksyon TV and CNN Philippines, among others; 3 regional clients; 2 blocktimers; and 21 agencies (17 media agencies, 3 consulting agencies, and 1 digital agency).

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019

Walking tall ARTISTS of lesser faith would not have recovered from an incident that befell then unknown Nonoy Zuniga one Saturday back in 1980. His is a classic tale of walking ahead in life after a tragedy and seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

The scenario was Martial Law with ultra-rightists sowing terror by planting bombs in government-owned installations and hotels,” recalled the A-list balladeer.

The date was October 4, 1980 when Nonoy found himself in a restroom beside Siete Pecados lounge inside Philippine Plaza (now Sofitel). He was a performer in a band doing nightly shows at the hotel’s lounge.

With his distinctively calm, soothing voice that sounded no trace of anger and fear, Nonoy went back to the fateful moment, “A bomb exploded right beside me and naputol kaagad ang right leg ko, above the knee. Nilagay yung bomb sa isang steel garbage bin in that restroom and I happened to be right there, nagsusuklay ako, just doing my routine.”

Nonoy, who continues to hold regular gigs here and abroad on the strength of his now-classic hit songs, managed to make a joke as to what kept him alive and, no pun intended, kicking, “Nabuhay naman ako kasi sabi nila masamang damo ako.”

Yet, he quickly revealed the true reason why he was able to stand tall after such a spirit downer.

That happened before fame. Pero di pa rin ako nawalan ng pag-asa. I can say lumabas ang pagiging relihiyoso ko.”

Fate has a way to reward some of those it treated unfair. The solo career that turned a struggling amputee band member into a household name came from just a simple

offer which he naturally accepted. No big plans. He was just asked to sing songs.

People like the YUGEL songs given to me.

LOSORATA My being a singer, as you know ay dumating lang, it was never planned,” he shared.

Nonoy is behind OPM standards like “Doon Lang,” “Kamusta Ka,” and “Never Ever Say Goodbye.” The Aegis hit “Basang Basa Sa Ulan” is actually his original.

The singing icon has scored 20 albums in a lengthy career that has seen him try various concept projects. Currently, he is recording dialect songs, including his version of “Waray Waray” produced by Paulo Zarate and to be released anytime soon in digital format.

It is a homage to his Waray roots.

He previously recorded a Cebuano song called “Pero Atik Ra” which he collaborated with Cebuana singer Jolliane Salvado.

You have to be good in all your dealings to stay there. Hindi ka dapat magiging mayabang,” he said, hinting at the kind of behavior that awarded him his lofty status in local music history.

Last March he held a concert at Resorts World Manila simply dubbed “Through The Years.”

Nonoy vocally stated he will never quit singing and stop recording as long as he can. Sensibly, if there ever was a quitter in him, that apparently went off with that bomb.

Jodi’s MOMentous Mother’s Day at the Araneta Center CATCH actress Jodi Sta. Maria as she celebrates an unforgettable mom’s day at “MOMentous: A Memorable Mother’s Day at the Araneta Center,” tomorrow at the Gateway Mall activity area.

Jodi will perform a special number and join a cooking demo facilitated

by Professional Academy for Culinary Education. MOMentous aims to educate mothers, especially solo moms like Jodi, who want to augment their income by starting their own food business.

Jodi, who is well known for her role as Maya in the hit TV series Be Careful with My Heart currently stars as Fina, a mother searching for her abducted child, in Sino Ang May Sala?. She is the loving mother of 13-year-old Thirdy in real life.

As a celebration of all mothers, Jodi’s participation in the mall’s tribute to Mother’s Day is expected to be an inspiration, especially since this is the first time the Center is focusing on empowering single moms. Part of the activities for this weekend is a talk on “The Solo Parent Act of 2000.” Carina Javier, president of Federation of Solo Parents in Luzvimin Inc. - United Solo Parents of the Philippines (FUSPP), will discuss the rights of single parents at the Gateway Mall.

In addition, participating moms will also get free skin analysis, hair styling, and foot and hand massage. “Solo Mom’s Bazaar,” which will showcase

Newcomer Kent Gonzales is a dramatic actor to watch

Newbie gets big break in

Reality’s summer hallow flick

U

P-AND-COMING teen VERY actor Kent Gonzales WANG had to quit school for the NICKIE time being in favor of a promising WANG showbiz career. And why not if you’re starring alongside screen icons for your first bigscreen project?

products like organic rice and coffee, will then be held at the Gateway Mall until May 18 as part of Araneta Center’s CSR activity in partnership with FUSPP. For more info and updates, visit Araneta Center’s website and follow it on its social media pages.

ON THE SET. Director Erik Matti coaches Kent while preparing for a scene.

Jodi Sta. Maria

‘‘Some people might find it weird but for me, a big break in showbiz is a rare opportunity. Not everyone is lucky enough to be given a meaty role for his first big screen appearance. This kind of break is something that you cannot just let slip away. I can go back to school anytime,” said the 17-year-old budding actor.

The showbiz green apple proves he has what it takes to stand shoulder-toshoulder with big stars in his film debut, Kuwaresma, a joint venture between Reality Entertainment and Globe Studios. The movie unspools in cinemas nationwide on May 15.

Co-stars Sharon Cuneta and John Arcilla together with master writerdirector Erik Matti only had good words for Kent throughout the shooting of the epic horror film.

I was scouted by Erik Matti,” Kent revealed.

The director stumbled upon this fresh

talent by accident. He was then scouting for a young actor to play Sharon and John’s son when he spotted Kent during a singing audition at Reality Entertainment’s office.

He doesn’t have any experience in acting. He has done s few commercials but when I asked him to read the script, nakita ko na ‘yung lalim niya at nagiisip. Raw, organic ang acting niya.

He’s got big potential,” the director shared.

First scene pa lang niya― Homecoming, si Sharon ang ka-eksena.

Iyakan.

Hindi ito artista, ha.

He doesn’t do TV. I gave him

GMA sustains ratings lead in Urban Luzon; ‘KMJS’ remains no. 1 nationwide FOR the month of April, GMA Network maintained its TV ratings lead in Urban Luzon, which accounts for 72 percent of all urban TV viewers in the country.

According to the latest data from the industry’s widely-trusted ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, GMA posted 36.6 percent average total day people audience share in the said viewer-rich area, outscoring ABS-CBN’s 31.1 percent in April (with April 21 to 30 based on overnight data).

Per day part, the Kapuso Network got 30.5 percent people audience share in the morning block, winning against rival network’s 26.8 percent.

GMA was also up in the afternoon block with 36.4 percent people audience share, as against the 31.4 percent of ABS-CBN. The Network further took the lead in the evening block with 39.3 percent versus competition’s 32.7 percent.

Kapuso shows likewise ruled the list

of top-rating programs in Urban Luzon for April. The well-loved magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS), which was awarded anew at the prestigious 2019 New York Festivals, firmly held the number one spot. It also continued to be the most watched program nationwide.

KMJS was followed by Sahaya, Magpakailanman, Daddy’s Gurl, Kara Mia, Pepito Manaloto, 24 Oras, and TODA One I Love. Continued on C3

a five-page monologue, panalo siya,” he added.

Sharon shared her own praises for the newcomer saying that Kent was allin from the very beginning to end.

We didn’t encounter any problem with Kent. I felt na ako ang mommy niya pag magka-eksena kami,” Sharon carried on, “At first, I asked him if he would mind na alalayan ko siya. Pag kailangan, tini-tension exercise ko siya. Kailangan kasi galit siya. Si Kent, napakabait na bata. Tinakot ko.

Pagkatapos, niyakap ko siya.”

As a mother and son, Sharon and Kent’s scenes were mostly tearful and confrontational. But the neophyte managed to stand his ground in scenes with the Megastar.

Meanwhile, Kent’s scenes with John are even more highly charged.

But he then again, passed them with flying colors.

Kent was very good. He didn’t get intimidated. I like his attitude towards his craft. Salamat at siya ang napiling anak namin ni Sharon sa movie,” said John.

The newcomer is naturally overwhelmed by his co-stars and the film director’s kind words.

In this movie, grabe ang pinagdaanan ko. I had the most challenging, thrilling role. Napakasaya ko.

Hindi sila nagkulang sa akin ng pagguide,” said Kent.

As a result, Reality Entertainment bosses Dondon Monteverde and Direk Erik Matti are now mapping out Kent’s follow-up assignment and charting his career as the company’s “Next Important Young Actor.”

Another thing to look out for from Kent is the release of his very first single, Who You Ka!, produced

by Virtual Music.